ASJ 

C  SOUTH 

<o 

ERN  REi 
OO 

^^■^^  Sl?  I 

n  —    —  §  1 

9  ^^^^  *■  1 

4  ^^     1 

!■"'■>'•''/''•"'"■ 

BMHr 

'  islKj^vhWi^Jv 

Wax 

■v  '.■';  '..-■■'. ■; '.'-,. 

GsRe 

'■■'•"'■'•.'•  •■'■.''.' ■ 

■'"   t  - 

/  .?,  ■ 

»•.'■■'  ^  ■'  •.'■-■■ 

m 

WHS, 

m 

'■■■■.    ■■■'■:■  '■ 

'  ■  -I" 

■■'•'•'■''■' 

;■■!■''> 

'■•'-"''••':" 

J.    KEITH, 

VARIETY  STORE, 

CROCKERY, 

Glass  and  Agate  Ware, 

Tin  and  Kitchen  Ware, 

OF   ALL    KINDS, 

VASES,       FANCY      CUPS      AND 
SAUCERS,    LAMPS, 

Toys  in  Great  Variety, 

STATIONERY,     JEWELRY,    BAS- 
KETS, WAGONS,  CARTS,  and 
WHEEL-BARROWS,  etc., 

At  the  lowest  Boston  prices.= 

KEITH'S    BLOCK, 

Cor     Fairmount  Ave.   and   Pierce   St. 


PYPF  PAPK 


juteam  Laundry 


Opposite  N.Y.&N.E.  Depot. 


Fine  Laundry  Work  of 
All  Kinds  done  at  short 
notice. 


dollars  and  duffs  a  Specialty, 

L.  M.  BICKFORD,  Prop. 


C.  P.  VAUGHAN, 
^^Tktclie^   ^iknioqd&    Tewelfo, 

SILVER-WARE,  CUTLERY,  STATIONERY, 

Fancy  Goods,  Pocket  Books,  Optical  Goods,  Etc, 

Fine  Repairing  of  all  kinds.     Watch  Repairing  a  specialty. 

No.  3  West  River  Street,    -    Odd  Fellows  Building,    -    Hyde  Park,  Mass. 

"A  THING  OF  BEAUTY  IS  A  JOY  FOREVER." 


^CE 


For  beauty  of   polish,  savin?  of   labor,   freeness  from  dust, 
durability  and    cheapness,  truly  unrivalled   in  any  country. 

CAUTION  — Beware  of  worthless  imitations  under  other  names, 
put  up  in  similar  snape  and  color  intended  to  deceive  Each 
package  of  the  genuine  bears  our  Trade  Mark.     Take  no  other. 


Established   in    187  1 


GEORGE    MILES, 

DEALER    IN 

Groceries  and  (Irockdry, 

KEEPS    CONSTANTLY    ON    HANI) 

Silas  Pierce  &  Co.'s  Selected   Teas  and   Pure  Spices,  Flour, 

Crockery,  and  Wooden-Ware;   a  complete  assortment 

of  Canned   Goods;   Silas  Pierce  &  Co.'s  Canned 

Corn   and   Tomatoes   a   Specialty. 

Jhe  Gelebrated   Plymouth   pock  Gelatine. 

Would  respectfully  invite  the  public  generally  to  try  my  COFFEES,  as  for  the  past  year 
my  coffee  trade  has  increased  more  than  ioo  per  cent. 

Take  particular  pride  in  making  my  selections,  and  patrons  can  be  assured  of  uniform  quali- 
ties, as  I  purchase  only  of  Swain,  Earle  &  Co. 

BtifTER,   CHEESE,  tfi  ESGS, 

Of  best  qualities  and  reasonable  rates.     Also  a  complete  assortment  of  all  articles  to  be  found  in 
a  First-Class  Grocery  Store. 

CORSOJNTS 

Hack,   Livery,  Boarding,  Baiting,  and  Express 

All   kinds   of   Heavy   Teaming, 

Pianos   and   Furniture   Moved. 

Express  leaves  Hyde  Park S.30  and  9.30  A.  M. 

Express  leaves  Boston 2,  3,  and  4  P.  M. 

HACKS     FURNISHED     ON     TELEPHONE     ORDER. 

(   ETHAN    ALLEN     .    .    .    Seating   30  People, 
BARGES:     (    TWILIGHT       Seating    12  People, 

FURNISHED     FOR    PLEASURE    PARTIES,    etc. 

Telephone  No.  9105.         Boston  Telephone,  No.  440. 

BOSTON    OFFICES  :         75  Kilby  Street.         79  Kilby  Street.        67  Franklin  Street. 

ORDER     BOX:     10   Fanenil   Hall   Sq. 

OFFICE     AND     STABLE:     39    Central    Park    Avenue. 

BRANCH     OFFICE:     Thompson's   Cigar  Store,  at  N.  Y.  &  N.  E.  R.  R.  Depot. 

Carriage  Painting  and  Blacksmith  Shop  run  in  connection  with  the  business.     Orders  solicited. 


-^FOR     LADIES     AND     GENTLEMEN.^ 


#     ^ti^ine^  /Aen'^  fxin^,     * 


1  SPRING  LANE. 


6  EXCHANGE  PLACE. 


m 


fftRM 


Jure 


-f^^-ey'  )   [ 


Send    Postals   to 


ALL    FLAVOR^. 


ak  (grove  |farm   @o., 


BOSTON . 


THE    FAMOUS    CUSTOM-MADE 

PLYMOUTH  ROCK  tQ  PANTS. 


3 


FULL  SUITS   AND  W  OVERCOATS 

A.t    Proportionate    Prices. 

You  can  order  a  pair  of  the  Famous 
Plymouth  Rock  $3  Pants,  cut  to  order, 


DO    YOU    WEAR 


PANTS 


and  after  you  get  them  home,  if  you 
are  not  satisfied  with  them  in  every 
way,  you  can  bring  them  back  and  obtain  your  money. 
Suits  and  overcoats  same  way.  Just  think  of  a  custom- 
made  suit  cut  to  your  own  order  for  $13.25.  Such 
things  were  never  before  heard  of  in  this  city.  You 
can  select  your  own  cloth  "  in  the  piece  "  at  our  sales- 
rooms. 

PLYMOUTH  ROCK  PANTS  CO., 

18     SUMMER    STREET, 
BOSTON,    MASS. 


Send  6c.   for  package   20  samples  and  self-measure- 
ment blanks. 


HOWES   &    HOLBROOK.     J.  W.  HAMMOND  &  CO., 


We  are  pleased  to  announce  that  we  are  in- 
creasing our  line  of 

And  are  now  able  to  supply  the  best  family  trade. 
also 

FINE  MAPLE  SYRUP  AND  SUGAR, 


WITH    FINE   GRADES   OF 


PRINT  AND  TUB  BUTTER 

From    VERMONT    Daily. 


Would  especially  call  your  attention  to  our 

STRICTLY  FRESH  CAPE  EGGS. 


Orders  taken  and  delivered  free  of  charge.     Your 
patronage  solicited. 

HOWES  &  HOLBROOK, 
U   FAIKMOIXT  AVE.,   HYDE   PARK. 

QUINCY    DYER, 

DEALER    IN 

HARDWARE, 

AGRICULTURAL  $)0D$ 

GLASS, 

PAINTS,  OILS, 
VARNISHES, 
JAPANS, 

BRUSHES, 
SCREEN  DOORS. 

Also,  a  Full  Line  of 

STREETS  GARDEN  HOSE. 


2&3  FAIRMOUNT  AVE., 

Opp.  Baptist  Church. 


FISH  DEALERS, 


37    FAIRMOUNT  AVE.    37 


ALL  KfNDS  OF 


Fresh,  Salt,  Smoked  and  Pickled  Fish 


IN  THEIR  SEASON. 


OYSTERS  A  SPECIALTY. 

omnia  Yincet  Amor.  Bfanibus  Petli- 

1868.  busque.     Ita  est.  1888. 

OMI     POULTRY     YARDS. 

The  Omi  strain  of  Plymouth  Rocks,  Black  Breast- 
ed Red  Gaines,  Scotch  Creepers,  and  Bantams 

are  specialties. 
Can  supply  any  popular  breed.      Your  patronage 

solicited.    Everything  First-class. 

Eggs  for  Hatching  securely  packed  for  shipment 

to   any  civilized  soot    un   earth.      Satisfaction 

Guaranteed.     Prices  Reasonable. 

Breeding  Pens,  trios  or  single  birds,  for   sale. 

Write  for  what  you  want. 

D.  F.  WOOD,  P.  O.  Box  973, 

OMI.  Hyde  Park,   Mass. 

N.  F.  BERRY, 

CARPENTER  AND  BUILDER. 

Plans,  Estimates,  and  Material  Furnished. 


Alterations  and  repairs  personally  attended  to, 
and  none  but  the  best  workmen  employed.  New 
houses  for  sale. 

SHOP  ON  STATION  STREET. 

Also,  desk  room  at  Balkam  &  Co. 's  new  coal  office. 


A.    G.    CHILDS, 

Druggist  f  Apothecary, 

No.  20  FAIRMOUNT  AYE., 


HYDE    PARK, 


MASS. 


Special    Attention    given    to    Preparing 
Physicians'   Prescriptions. 


MANUFACTURER   OF 


BEEF,  IRON  AND  WINE, 

A  Nutritive  Tonic.     Equalled  by  few. 
Excelled  by  none. 


OUR     SARSAPARILLA 

Is  the  best  Spring  Medicine. 


Books!    Books! 

LARGEST    VARIETY. 

♦LOWEST    PRICES. 


All  the  New  and  Popular  Books,  together 
with  a  full  line  of  Standard  and  Miscellaneous 
Works  in  every  department  of  literature,  Bibles, 
Prayer  Books.  Albums,  etc.,  etc. 


OUR     PRICES    ARE    NOTED     FOR 
BEINC    THE    LOWEST. 


DeWOLFE,  FISKE  &  CO., 

361-365  Washington  St.,  Boston. 

"The  Archway  Bookstore." 
C.  P.  FISKE,   Milton  Ave.,  Hyde  Park. 


A.    H.    HOLWAY, 
Everett  Sq.,  Hyde  Park;  and  309  Washington  St.,  Boston, 

DEALER    IN    -REAL    ESTATE, 

CONTRACTOR     AND    APPRAISER, 

INSURANCE     AGENT    AND     BROKER, 

Most  of  the  time  for  twenty-two  years,  and  am  prepared  with  State  and  Local  Licenses  to  place 
Fire  Risks  in  any  Company  doing  business  in  this  State.     Lowest  estimates  given  for 

PAPER    HANGINGS. 


MONEY  TO  LOAN  on  Real  Estate  Morto;ao-es  at  all  times. 


LICENSED    AUCTIONEER. 

Began  business  in  Hyde  Park  in  186S;  have  been  a  resident  of  the  town  since  1870. 

Have  introduced  to  Hyde  Park  a  large  number  of  the  resident  families,  and  done  all  in  my 
power  to  promote  its  true  interest ;  and  hope  by  strict  attention  to  business  to  merit  a  share  of 
business  in  my  line.  , 


,868.     MEMORIAL  SKETCH     .888. 


HYDE    PARK,    MASS., 


FIRST     TWENTY    YEARS    OF    ITS     CORPORATE    EXIST- 
ENCE:   ALSO    ITS    INDUSTRIES,    STATISTICS, 
AND    ORGANIZATIONS, 


TOGETHER    WITH    THE 


ANNIVERSARY  ADDRESSES,   DELIVERED    BY  REV.   PERLEY 
B.  DAVIS.  AND  REV.  RICHARD  J.  BARRY. 


COMPILED    1JV 


JOS.  KING   KNIGHT,  D.  D.  S., 
EDMUND  DAVIS,  Esq.,  HENRY  B.  HUMPHREY, 

Committee. 


BOSK  >N  : 

L.    BART  A    &    CO.,    PRINTERS, 

54  Pearl  S irekt, 

i  888. 


To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  tlie  Common- 
wealth of  Massachusetts  in  the  General  Court  assembled; 

The  undersigned,  citizens  of  the  portions  of  Dorchester,  Milton,  and 
Dedham,  called  Hyde  Park,  believing  that  the  common  interest  will  be 
promoted  thereby,  respectfully  petition  your  honorable  body  to  pass  an  act 
incorporating  the  town  of  Hyde  Park,  to  be  composed  of  such  portions 
of  the  territory  of  each  of  said  towns  of  Dorchester,  Milton  and  Dedham, 
as  may  seem  most  proper  and  expedient. 


(Signed)       Alpheus  P.  Blake. 
David  Higgins. 
William  J.  Stuart. 
Henry  S.  Adams. 
Benjamin  F.  Radford. 
Gordon  H.  Nott. 
James  Downing. 
C.  C.  Bradbury. 


Waldo  F.  Ward. 
William  Rogers. 
C.  F.  Gerry. 
Robert  Bleakie. 
George  B.  Parrott. 
E.  P.  Davis. 
S.  A.  Bradbury. 
W.  T.  Thacher. 


'"} 


Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts, 
Secretary's  Department, 

Boston,  Nov.  19,  1^67. 

I    approve    the   publication  of   the  above    petition   in  the  Boston  Daily 
Transcript,  Boston  Daily  Advertiser,  and  Dedham  Gazette. 

(Signed)  OLIVER    WARNER. 

Secretary. 


UBKAttl! 

IMVERSITY  OF  CALIF0RN1 
SANTA  BARBARA 


CHAPTER   139   OF   THE  ACTS   OF  1868. 


AN     ACT 

TO  INCORPORATE  THE  TOWN  OF  HYDE  PARK. 


Bt-  it  enacted,  etc.,  as  follows: 

Section  i.  All  the  territory  now  within  the  towns  of  Dorchester, 
Dedham,and  Milton,  in  the  county  of  Norfolk,  comprised  within  the  follow- 
ing limits,  that  is  to  say  :  beginning  at  the  northeasterly  side  of  Paul's 
Bridge, so  called,  where  it  crosses  Neponset  River  from  Milton  to  Dedham  : 
thence  running  down  the  Neponset  River  by  the  thread  of  the  stream 
to  a  point  two  thousand  and  thirteen  feet  below  the  lower  side  of  Paul's 
Bridge  ;  thence  by  a  line  running  north  sixty-six  and  one-third  degrees 
east  (magnetic)  five  thousand  three  hundred  and  forty-four  feet,  to  a  point 
in  the  field  northwest  of  E.  W.  Capen's  house,  and  measuring  one  hundred 
and  fifteen  feet;  on  a  course  south,  eighty-seven  degrees  east  (magnetic  'i 
from  an  oak  tree;  thence  north  ten  degrees  (magnetic i  two  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  eight  feet  to  the  boundary  wall  of  land  of  James  M. 
Robbins  ;  thence  by  said  wall  and  a  continuation  thereof  north  twenty-five 
and  one-third  degrees  west  (magnetic)  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
fifty-seven  feet  to  the  Neponset  River  ;  then  running  northeasterly  by  a 
straight  line  passing  from  said  last  mentioned  point,  through  a  point 
distant  fifty  feet  northwesterly  from  the  northwesterly  corner  of  the  house 
of  Amor  Hollingsworth  to  Neponset  River;  then  running  northeasterly, 
following  the  said  Neponset  River  to  a  point  where  the  line  of  the  said 
river  intersects  a  straight  line  drawn  from  a  point  on  the  westerly  line  of 
brush  Hill  Road,  distant  eleven  hundred  feet  southwesterly  from  the 
junction  of  Brush  Hill  road  and  Brush  Hill  turnpike  to  a  point  on  the 
Boston,  Hartford  &  Erie  Railroad, distant  fourteen  hundred  feet  northeasterly 
from  the  railroad  bridge  over  River  Street  in  Dorchester  at  the  station  on 
said  railroad  now  called  River  Street  Station  :  then  crossing  the  said 
Neponset  River  in  continuation  of  the  said  line,  and  continuing  north- 
westerly in  the  same  course,  and  in  a  straight  line,  to  the  present  boundary 
line  between  Dorchester  and  West  Roxbury;  then  running  southwesterly 
on  the  present  boundary  line  between  Dorchester  and  West  Roxbury  to  a 
monument  on  the  present  boundary  line  between  Dorchester  and  Dedham, 
being  the  extreme  westerly  point  of  the  present  town  of  Dorchester:  then 
running  southeasterly  on  the  present  boundary  line  between  the  towns  of 
Dedham  and  Dorchester,  one  hundred  and  nine  rods,  to  a  monument  on  a 
hill,  being    one    of    the   monuments    between    the    towns  of   Dedham  and 


Dorchester;  then  running  southerly  in  a  straight  line  to  a  point  in  the  centre 
of  the  Boston,  Hartford  &  Erie  Railroad,  distant  one  hundred  and  forty-six 
rods  westerly  from  the  point  where  the  centre  line  of  said  railroad  crosses 
the  centre  line  of  the  Boston  &  Providence  railroad  at  Readville,  so-called  ; 
then  running  southeasterly  in  a  straight  line  to  a  monument  on  Neponset 
River,  at  the  corner  of  the  towns  of  Milton,  Canton,  and  Dedham,  being  the 
extreme  northerly  point  of  the  town  of  Canton,  then  running  northeasterly 
on  said  river  to  the  point  of  beginning:  is  hereby  incorporated  into  a 
town  by  the  name  of  Hyde  Park;  and  said  town  of  Hyde  Park  is  hereby 
invested  with  all  the  powers,  privileges,  rights,  and  immunities,  and  is 
subject  to  all  the  duties  and  requisitions  to  which  other  towns  are  entitled 
and  subjected  by  the  constitution  and  laws  of  this  Commonwealth. 

Section  2.     (Relates  to  taxes.) 

Section  3.     (Relates  to  support  of  poor.) 

Section  4.     (Relates  to  corporate  property.) 

Section  5.     (Provides  for  choice  of  State  and  Federal  officers.) 

Section  6.  (Provides  that  certain  streets  may  be  extended,  and,  when 
completed,  to  be  public  ways  of  Milton.) 

Section  7.  Any  justice  of  the  peace  within  and  for  the  county  of 
Norfolk  may  issue  his  warrant,  directed  to  any  principal  inhabitant  of  the 
town  of  Hyde  Park,  requiring  him  to  notify  and  warn  the  inhabitants 
thereof,  qualified  bo  vote  in  town  affairs,  to  meet  at  the  time  and  place 
appointed,  for  the  purpose  of  choosing  all  such  town  officers  as  towns 
are  by  law  authorized  and  required  to  choose  at  their  annual  meetings  ;  and 
said  warrant  shall  be  served  by  posting  up  copies  thereof,  all  attested  by 
the  person  to  whom  the  same  is  directed,  in  three  public  places  in  said 
town,  seven  clays  at  least  before  such  meeting.  Such  justice,  or  in  his 
absence,  such  principal  inhabitant,  shall  preside  until  the  choice  of  modera- 
tor in  said  meeting.  The  selectmen  of  the  towns  of  Dorchester,  Milton,  and 
Dedham,  shall,  before  said  meeting,  prepare  a  list  of  voters  from  their 
respective  towns  within  said  Hyde  Park  qualified  to  vote  at  said  meeting, 
and  shall  deliver  the  same  to  the  person  presiding  at  such  meeting  before 
the  choice  of  a  moderator  thereof. 

Secton  8.  This  act  shall  take  effect  .upon  its  passage.  Approved 
April  22,  1868. 


AMENDMENT. 

Be  it  enacted,  etc..  as  follows:  * 

Section  I.  Chapter  one  hundred  and  thirty-nine  of  the  acts  of  the  year 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-eight,  is  hereby  amended  by  insert- 
ing, in  the  tenth  line  of  the  first  section  thereof,  after  the  words,  "  thence 
north  ten  degrees,"  the  word  "east";  and  by  striking  out,  after  the  words 
"to  the  Neponset  River,"  in  the  fourteenth  line  of  said  first  section,  the 
words  "  then  running  northeasterly  by  a  straight  line  passing  from  said 
last  mentioned  point,  through  a  point  distant  fifty  feet  northwesterly  from 
the  northwesterly  corner  of  the  house  of  Amor  Hollingsworth  to  Neponset 
River." 

Section  2.  This  act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage.  Approved  May 
1,  1868. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


To  the  Citizens  of  Hyde  Park  : 

Your  sub-committee  on  statistics  are,  unfortunately,  very  busy  men,  and 
the  time  given  to  prepare  this  little  volume  exceedingly  limited,  so  the  work 
has  necessarily  been  very  hurried,  and  no  one  can  be  more  cognizant  of  its 
defects  than  are  its  compilers.  We  put  it  forth,  however,  trusting  that  it 
may  receive  your  approval  and  serve  as  an  aid  to  future  historians  of  our 
attractive  town. 

We  were  fortunate  in  having  as  a  basis  the  excellent  article  written  by 
one  of  the  committee,  Mr.  Edmund  Davis,  for  the  history  of  Norfolk  County, 
and  are  thus  enabled  to  present  a  much  more  complete  sketch  than  we 
could  otherwise  have  done. 

The  plan  has  been  to  present  a  concise  history,  followed  bv  condensed 
statistics  taken  from  the  official  records,  and  a  grouping  of  all  the  organiza- 
tions which  have  existed  here  since  the  incorporation,  so  far  as  we  have 
been  able  to  gather  such  information.  As  the  family  is  what  the  individual 
members  make  it,  so  we  feel  a  town  is  largely  influenced  by  the  organiza- 
tions which  are  found  within  its  borders;  and  we  certainly  have  no  reason  for 
complaint  as  to  the  number  or  character  of  those  which  have  found  a  lodge- 
ment here. 

The  addresses  by  Rev.  P.  B.  Oavis,  Rev.  Richard  J.  Barry,  and  the  pio- 
gramme  of  exercises  of  the  twentieth  anniversary  which  are  appended,  will 
serve  as  interesting  mementoes  of  the  occasion. 

We  are  pleased  to  be  able  to  produce  a  number  of  fine  illustrations  which 
we  believe  have  never  before  appeared  in  print,  and  which  add  very  materi- 
ally to  the  permanent  value  of  the  book.  The  first  Board  of  Selectmen,  the 
view  of  Fairmount  in  1857,  and  old  Sumner  Hall,  will  carry  us  back  to  our 
early  days,  while  the  other  views  of  the  town,  of  the  Grew  School,  and  some 
of  the  various  churches,  will  indicate  a  measure  of  the  prosperity  which  at- 
tends us  to-day. 

We  return  our  grateful  thanks  to  the  many  who  have  assisted  us,  but  we 
feel  that  we  are  under  special  obligations  to  Mr.  H.  A.  Rich,  who  placed  be- 
fore us  a  large  amount  of  local  historical  matter,  to  Mr.  Wm.  II.  Barritt, 
who  put  at  our  disposal  a  large  selection  of  photographs,  and  to  Messrs.  H. 
S.  Bunton,  Chas.  K.  Jenney,  D.  F.  Wood,  Chas.  S.  Norris,  C.  G.  Chick, 
Mrs.  C.  Stewart  Weld,'  Mrs.' 1 1.  A.  IS.  Thompson,  and  Mrs.  A.  E.  Giles,  who 
have  each  contributed  articles  of  special  worth. 

To  the  active  efforts  of  Mr.  Henry  R.  Humphrey  we  are  indebted  for  the 
production  of  the  book  in  its  present  form.  We  earnestly  hope  that  we 
have  merited  your  approbation,  and  that  your  criticism  will  be  tempered 
with  charity.  That  the  twentieth  celebration  may  blossom  into  the  quarter- 
centennial,  and  that  be  the  forerunner  of  the  semi-centennial  and  centennial, 
and  that  you  till  may  be  here  to  enjoy  them,  is  the  humble  wish  of  your 
Chronicler.  J.  K.  K. 


HISTORICAL    POEM. 


READ    BEFORE    THE   HISTORICAL   SOCIETY  ON    THE    NINETEENTH    ANNIVER- 
SARY  OF    THE    INCORPORATION   OF   THE  TOWN. 


BY    E.    I.    HUMPHREY. 


'Tis  but  a  generation  past, 

And  yet  there  lingers  in  our  thought 
The  light  and  shadow  time  has  cast 

( III  this  the  land  our  Pilgrims  sought ; 
Like  other  pilgrims,  ages  past, 

Who  fled  from  Egypt's  blighting  curse, 
So  journeyed  they,  and  found  at  last 

This  modern  Canaan  of  our  verse. 

No  '•  milk  and  honey  "  lured  them  here, 

No  "grapes  of  Eshcol  "  met  their  sight, 
No  frowning  walls  awakened  fear, 

No  battling  hosts  suggested  flight  ; 
From  the  fair  heights  they  viewed  the  land, 

Its  native  beauty  charmed  and  cheered, 
With  prophet's  eye  they  clearly  scanned, 

Our  town  in  embryo  appeared. 

Beneath  their  feet  the  vale  revealed 

A  wealth  of  foliage  interlaced, 
While  here  and  there  a  shattered  field 

Disclosed  the  culture  nature  ti 
The  flowing  river  glistened  through 

The  myriad  windows  of  the  wood, 
While  over-arched,  the  heaven  of  blue 

Hallowed  the  ground  whereon  they  stood. 

Gently  there  rose  beyond  the  vale 

The  mounded  verdure  to  their  view, 
Just  faintly  seen,  and  Becked  with  sail, 

The  land-girt  hem  of  ocean  blue; 
The  hill  and  valley,  sky  and  sea, 

The  stream,  the  foliage  and  field, 
Together  made  their  gracefid  plea, 

And  forced  our  pilgrim  band  to  yield. 


When  homes  ideal  thrill  the  mind, 

If  hearts  are  seeking  love's  abode, 
The  willing  hand  will  surely  find 

A  way  to  lift  life's  heavy  load. 
Daily  they  toiled  with  newborn  zeal 

To  find  within  the  woods'  embrace 
The  treasure  of  the  common  weal, 

A  peaceful,  love-lit  dwelling  place. 

Give  honor  to  our  youthful  sires 

Who  laid  the  waiting  forest  low, 
And  kindled  here  the  gleaming  fires. 

Which  shed  on  us  their  after-glow  : 
Who  built  in  vale,  on  slope  and  hill, 

The  homes  which  are  our  sure  defence, 
And  safeguards  reared  to  baffle  ill, 

And  give  to  toil  its  recompense. 

We  cannot  picture  with  the  pen 

The  steady  march  which  centered  here, 
Of  gracious  women,  noble  men. 

With  quick'ning  step  from  year  to  year  ; 
Never  before  in  three  decades, 

Within  the  confines  of  our  state, 
Has  population  pierced  the  shades, 

And  swung  so  wide  the  social  gate. 

They  brought  the  seeds  of  wealth's  increase, 

Of  art,  of  poesy,  and  song  ; 
They  brought  the  never-ending  lease 

Of  blessing  to  our  later  throng. 
Invidious  praise  is  oft  unwise, 

And  yet  we  cannot  well  forbear 
To  look  into  life's  dreamy  skies 

F'>r  names  which  fame  has  written  there. 


Could  we  but  mention  name  by  name 

Those  who  have  yielded  us  renown, 
Our  list  would  fill  a  scroll  of  fame 

Lustrous  with  glory  for  our  town. 
We  only  jot  them  here  and  there, 

To  hint  of  genius,  worth,  and  skill, 
And  leave  the  page  so  bright  and  fair 

For  truer  hands  to  later  fill. 

The  name  of  Blake,  the  pioneer, 

Stands  forth  on  our  historic  scroll, 
Circled  by  those  we  hold  so  dear, 

The  "  Twenty  "  on  our  early  roll. 
Among  our  veterans,  Henry  Grew, 

Grown  dearer  with  advancing  age ; 
Our  royal  list  has  Weld  the  true, 

Scholar  and  patriot,  friend  and  sage. 

The  honored  name  of  woman  brings 

A  glorious  list  in  all  the  years  ; 
Wherever  vice  or  ruin  clings, 

She  gives  her  words,  her  deeds,  her  tears. 
The  "  Grimke  Sisters,"  human  rights 

Found  in  their  lives  a  service  strong, 
They  join  with  her  who  nobly  smites 

In  our  own  day  our  present  wrong. 


In  glint  of  sunlight,  bloom  of  flower, 

We  find  the  artist  Enneking. 
In  "  Poets'  Corner,"  here  we  cower, 

Just  mindful  that  the  time  is  spring. 
The  pages  of  romance  reveal 

Sylvanus  Cobb,  of  "Ledger"  fame  : 
Impassioned  youth  has  set  its  seal 

Beside  our  story-teller's  name. 

Gerry  and  Stuart,  Cable,  Stark, 

Moseley  and  Jenney,  in  the  list 
Who've  borne  the  legislative  ark, 

Why  not  let  some  of  us  assist  ? 
Our  lawyers  ?  No,  'twill  never  do 

To  "  cite  a  case,"  we  pass  them  all, 
And  "  clear  the  docket "  ;  life  were  true 

If  'tweren't  for  them  and  Adam's  fall. 

We  stay  our  muse,  for  words  would  fail 

To  sketch  the  picture  of  our  thought ; 
We  will  not  try  to  "  rend  the  vail  " 

For  words  with  inspiration  fraught. 
Enough  for  us  to  touch  the  springs 

Of  recollection's  mystic  power, 
To  wake  the  voice  that  sweetly  sings, 

And  charm  away  the  present  hour. 


Our  Reverend  Davis,  as  of  old, 

Is  ringing  still  the  Gospel  Bells, 
The  heavenly  chime  which  has  foretold 

The  home  where  love  eternal  dwells ; 
In  clearer  tones  may  they  proclaim 

The  advent  of  a  purer  day, 
When  Christ-like  lives  shall  be  the  flame 

To  light  us  on  the  better  way. 


Return  and  stand  upon  the  height, 

Behold  the  glory  of  the  scene, 
Look  where  the  shadow  and  the  light 

Are  drifting  in  the  vale  between. 
Hear  once  again  the  river's  flow, 

The  melting  note  of  woodland  bird. 
Bathe  in  the  morning,  evening  glow, 

And  list  to  Nature's  quiet  word. 


HISTORICAL. 


Hyde  Park  lies  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  and  is 
about  seven  miles  from  the  State  House  in  Boston.  It  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  the  part  of  Boston  which  formerly 
constituted  the  town  of  West  Roxbury,  on  the  east  by  the 
part  of  Boston  which  was  formerly  Dorchester,  on  the  southeast 
and  south  by  Milton,  and  on  the  west  by  Dedham.  Two  lines 
of  railroad  —  the  Boston  &  Providence,  and  the  New  York  & 
New  England  —  run  through  it,  being  about  one  and  one-third 
miles  apart  where  they  enter  the  town  on  the  northeast,  and 
gradually  approaching  and  crossing  each  other  on  the  southwest 
near  the  Dedham  line.  There  are  seven  stations  within  the 
limits  of  the  town  ;  four  on  the  Boston  &  Providence  Railroad, 
and  three  on  the  New  York  &  New  England  Railroad.  The 
Neponset  River  flows  through  the  town  in  a  course  approxi- 
mately parallel  with  the  railroads,  part  of  the  way  forming  the 
boundary  between  it  and  Milton. 

Mother  Brook,  a  water  course  partly  a  stream  and  partly  a 
canal,  leading  from  the  Charles  River,  enters  the  town  on  the 
west  and  empties  into  the  Neponset  near  the  centre  of  the 
town.  Further  natural  drainage  is  afforded  by  a  small  brook 
running  toward  the  northeast  and  emptying  into  Stony  Brook, 
which  has  given  our  neighbors  of  Boston  so  much  trouble  and 
expense. 

The  area  of  the  town  is  two  thousand  eight  hundred  acres, 
of  which  about  two  hundred  acres  are  devoted  to  streets  or 
ways.  This  fact  argues  a  pretty  close  settlement,  which  is, 
indeed,  the  case,  there  being  fifteen  hundred  and  twelve  houses, 
containing  upwards  of  nine  thousand  inhabitants. 

The  surface  of  the  land  is  somewhat  diversified  by  hill  and 
plain;  enough  so  to  please  the  eye,  without   causing  much    in- 


IO 

convenience  to  road-makers  or  builders.  None  of  the  hills  are 
so  high  that  they  cannot  be  easily  surmounted  ;  none  of  the 
valleys  so  low  that  good  drainage  cannot  be  obtained.  Be- 
tween the  railroads  the  surface  is  for  the  most  part  quite  level, 
the  beautiful  little  eminence  of  Mount  Neponset  being  the 
most  noticeable  exception. 

East  of  the  Neponset  River  the  land  rises  somewhat 
abruptly,  forming  Fairmount  Heights,  the  place  where  the 
pioneers  of  this  new  town  first  founded  their  homes,  and  which 
to-day  is  closely  covered  with  pleasant,  and  in  some  instances 
elegant,  residences,  bordered  by  wide  and  well-shaded  streets 
and  avenues.  West  of  the  Boston  &  Providence  Railroad 
the  surface  again  swells  into  slight  knolls  and  elevations,  upon 
which  stand  many  fine  residences.  This  portion  is  known  as 
Sunnyside,  and  still  farther  beyond  this  is  a  considerable 
tract  of  hilly  and  rocky  territory  forming  a  part  of  the  rugged, 
woody  wilderness,  known  as  Muddy  Pond  Woods.  These 
extend  far  beyond  the  town  limits  and  into  Dedham  and 
Boston.  They  are  a  favorite  resort  of  pleasure-seekers, 
traversed  as  they  are  in  all  directions  by  numerous  wood-roads, 
and  it  has  been  well  said  that,  "  immersed  in  this  maze  of 
sylvan  delights,  one  hardly  realizes  that  he  is  within  a  few 
miles  of  the  metropolis  of  New  England,  and  requires  but  little 
imagination  to  persuade  himself  that  he  is  among  the  primeval 
forests  of  Maine." 

Readville  is  the  name  of  the  southeast  portion  of  the  town, 
and  is  for  the  most  part  a  level  plain,  not  so  closely  built  over 
as  the  other  parts. 

In  this  section,  however,  and  the  territory  adjoining  it,  the 
greater  part  of  the  manufactories  are  located.  A  branch  rail- 
road to  Dedham  Centre  leaves  the  Boston  &  Providence 
Railroad  here.  Towards  the  northeast  part  of  the  town,  on  the 
same  railroad,  are  the  pleasant  and  thriving  districts  of  Hazle- 
wood  and  Clarendon  Hills. 

Opposite  the  former,  at  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile's  distance, 
on  a  gently  rising  hill,  stands  the  residence  of  Mr.  Henry 
Grew,  the  house  and  its  grounds  on  the  sloping  hillside  backed 
by  the   forest,    forming   a   charming   landscape.     Still  another 


I  I 

small  village  is  clustered  around  the  paper  mills  of  Messrs. 
Tileston  &  Hollingsworth,  at  the  eastern  extremity  of  River 
Street,  and  near  the  River  Street  station,  on  the  New  York 
&  New  England  Railroad. 

These  several  districts,  though  thus  distinguished  by  distinc- 
tive names,  are  by  no  means  isolated  and  separate  villages  ;  one 
touches  upon  another,  the  rows  of  houses  continue  unbroken, 
and  there  is  nothing  in  the  way  of  unoccupied  territory  to  mark 
the  end  of  one  section  or  the  beginning  of  another.  The  town 
is  compact,  and  its  divisions  thoroughly  welded  together. 

Hyde  Park  is  a  town  of  to-day,  and  its  history  is  the  history 
of  today.  Incorporated  in  1868,  anything  which  is  to  be  said 
about  it  prior  to  that  time  belongs  to  the  history  of  those 
adjoining  towns  from  whose  territory  it  was  made  up.  The 
writer  is  thus  deprived  of  the  greater  part  ot  that  material 
which  age  in  the  subject  affords.  As  mists  and  vapors  in  the 
atmosphere  lend  to  the  outlines  of  objects  at  a  distance  more 
graceful  and  pleasing,  and  at  the  same  time  larger  and  more 
imposing,  proportions,  so  the  mists  of  time  constitute  media 
through  which  the  men  and  events  of  long  ago,  though  in- 
distinct and  shadowy,  seem  all  the  more  grand  and  impressive. 
We  spiritualize  the  old,  we  rigidly  keep  the  new  down  to  hard 
practicality. 

Yet  in  this  brief  review  of  Hyde  Park  as  it  is  to-day  after  its 
short  existence  of  a  score  of  years,  it  will  be  necessary  to  go 
a  little  beyond  its  corporate  life  and  examine  those  influences 
to  which  it  owes  its  being  and  the  circumstances  and  surround- 
ings which  attended  its  inception.  One  standing  to-day  upon  the 
top  of  any  of  the  small  eminences  which  diversify  the  surface 
of  the  town,  may,  if  the  atmosphere  is  clear,  sweep  with  his  eye 
the  lower  harbor  of  Boston  on  the  east  ;  the  Blue  Hills  which 
skirt  the  horizon  on  the  southeast  ;  the  valley  of  the  Neponset 
to  the  south  glimmering  through  the  green  meadows,  and  to  the 
west  and  north  the  elevated  lands  of  the  neighboring  towns, 
while  at  his  feet  lie  in  thick  profusion  the  hundreds  of  houses 
and  miles  of  streets  and  avenues  which  go  to  make  up  the  town 
of  Hyde  Park.  The  spires  of  churches,  belfries,  and  tall 
chimneys  of  manufactories,  the  smoke  of  locomotives,  and  long 


12 


lines  of  railways  arrest  the  eyes,  the  hum  of  travel  and  traffic 
rises  to  the  ear.  Everything  betokening  the  presence  of  nine 
thousand  souls  is  manifest  to  the  senses.  But  far  different  was 
the  view  which  awaited  the  anxious  vision  of  the  examining 
committee  of  pioneers  in  1856;  then,  indeed,  the  hills,  the 
rivers,  and  the  high  lands  were  to  be  seen  in  the  distance,  but 
nearer  at  hand  little  to  mark  the  presence  of  man.  There  was 
then  no  considerable  village  on  the  line  of  the  Boston  & 
Providence  Railroad  from  Jamaica  Plain  to  the  Canton  viaduct. 
The  territory  between  was  spread  over  with  farms,  woodland, 
and  the  meadows  which  fill  the  basin  of  the  upper  Neponset. 
The  following  extract  from  an  address  delivered  at  the  first 
annual  banquet  of  the  town  officers  of  Hyde  Park,  March  9, 
1872,  by  the  venerable  Henry  Grew,  one  of  the  town's  oldest 
as  well  as  most  esteemed  citizens,  presents  such  a  graphic 
and  truthful  portraiture  of  the  condition  of  things  at  and  shortly 
before  the  time  under  consideration  as  to  fully  justify  its 
insertion  here : 

"  Having  purchased  a  few  acres  of  land  in  the  summer  of 
1846,  I  commenced  building  a  house,  and  moved  to  this  place, 
then  a  part  of  Dorchester,  on  the  first  day  of  May,  1847.  At 
that  time  most  of  this  territory  was  occupied  by  farmers. 
There  were  on  River  Street  (the  old  highway  between  Dor- 
chester and  Dedham),  within  a  range  of  a  mile  or  a  mile  and  a 
half,  about  ten  houses,  most  of  them  small  and  occupied  by 
farmers,  with  two  exceptions,  one  a  blacksmith  and  one  a  wheel- 
wright, with  a  population  not  exceeding  fifty  persons." 

Also  Sumner's  mills  and  a  few  small  tenements  occupied  by 
their  operatives,  and  a  small  schoolhouse  near  the  same. 

"  These  were  the  only  settlements  in  Dorchester.  On  the 
easterly  side  of  the  Neponset  River,  which  was  the  boundary 
line  between  Dorchester  and  Milton  (now  Fairmount)  all 
was  woodland  and  pasture,  the  first  settlement  in  that  part 
of  our  town  having  commenced  in  1855  or  1856.  West  of  my 
house  was  an  unbroken  range  of  forest  trees ;  on  the  northerly 
side,  in  West  Roxbury,  were  three  farms.  My  nearest 
visiting  neighbor  was  two  and  a  half  or  three  miles  distant ;  I 
was  almost  literally  surrounded  by  woods,  and  my  friends  in 
Boston  were  much  surprised  at  my  going  to  such  a  wild  and 
lonely  place.  There  was,  however,  the  Boston  &  Providence 
Railroad,    on    which    cars    passed    within    half   a    mile    of  my 


13 

residence,  running  three  times  a  day  each  way,  to  and  from 
Boston.  There  was  no  station  between  Forest  Hill  and  Read- 
ville  ;  occasionally  the  cars  stopped  at  the  crossing  at  West 
Street  to  take  or  leave  passengers.  After  a  while  some  of  the 
trains  stopped  at  Kenney's  Bridge  (now  Hyde  Park  Station), 
but  passengers  were  few,  perhaps  ten  or  twelve  in  the  course  of 
a  week.  No  house  of  shelter  or  station-master.  The  signal 
for  stopping  the  cars  by  daylight  was  made  by  the  turning  of  a 
signal  board  by  the  passenger,  and  after  dark  by  the  swinging 
of  a  lantern." 

In  1846  three  farms,  containing  about  200  acres,  and  includ- 
ing what  is  now  the  most  thickly  settled  and  valuable  part  of 
Hyde  Park,  were  purchased  by  three  men,  who  proposed  to 
build  upon  and  occupy  them.  Two  houses  were  erected,  one 
the  stone  edifice,  corner  of  Gordon  Avenue  and  Austin  Street, 
formerly  known  as  the  Lyman  House,  lately  the  residence  of 
Charles  A.  White,  and  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Col.  John 
B.  Bachelder,  the  Gettysburg  historian  ;  the  other  was  the  old 
homestead  of  Gordon  H.  Nott,  whose  enterprise  and  liberality 
were  largely  contributory  to  the  early  growth  of  this  town. 

These  three  individuals  then  sold  the  remainder  of  their  pur- 
chase to  the  Hyde  Park  Land  Company.  This  company  made 
some  improvements  and  disposed  of  some  of  its  land,  but  little 
was  accomplished  by  it  before  1856.  The  earliest  recorded  sale 
of  some  one  hundred  acres  of  the  Commons  was  for  five  pounds 
colonial.  The  above  sale  to  the  Hyde  Park  Land  Company  was 
for  the  expressed  price  of  twelve  thousand  dollars,  or  about 
sixty  dollars  per  acre.  Within  the  last  fifteen  years  consider- 
able parcels  of  the  same  land,  without  buildings,  have  changed 
owners  for  a  consideration  of  seventy-five  cents  per  foot,  and  in 
two  instances  for  one  dollar  per  square  foot.  The  portion  of 
the  town  taken  from  Dedham  was  formerly  known  as  "  The 
Lower  Plains,"  a  title  sufficiently  descriptive  of  its  topograph- 
ical characteristics.  Away  back  a  large  part  of  it  was  owned 
by  one  Damon,  in  memory  of  whom  the  schoolhouse  now  in 
that  locality  received  its  name. 

About  1850  it  was  named  by  its  inhabitants  Readville,  in 
honor  of  Mr.  Read,  who  was  the  principal  owner  of  the  cotton 
mill  there.     About  this  mill  were  some  score  of  houses  and  ten- 


14 

ements  ;  and  farther  away,  but  still  within  the  district,  were 
perhaps  half  a  dozen  other  residences,  among  them  the  home- 
stead of  D.  L.  Davis  and  that  of  the  late  William  Bullard,  both 
on  the  Milton  road,  still  occupied  by  the  then  owners  or  their  de- 
scendants, and  the  handsome,  and  for  those  days,  elegant  French 
cottage  of  William  S.  Damrell,  then  member  of  Congress. 
This  stood,  with  ample  and  pleasant  grounds  around  it,  on  a 
low  hill  rising  back  from  the  pond  caused  by  the  mill-dam.  It 
is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  E.  A.  Fiske.  Mr.  Damrell,  as 
the  only  congressman  ever  resident  upon  soil  now  included  in 
our  town,  claims  more  than  a  passing  notice.  He  was  an  in- 
tense anti-slavery  man,  bold  and  fearless  in  the  expression  of 
his  convictions,  a  warm  friend  and  supporter  of  Sumner,  Banks, 
Hale,  and  the  other  foremost  champions  of  human  liberty. 
He  was  of  indomitable  will,  and  resolutely  attended  to  his  pub- 
lic duties  during  the  years  immediately  preceding  the  Rebel- 
lion, although  so  disabled  by  paralysis  of  the  lower  extremities, 
occasioned  by  lead  poisoning,  as  to  require  the  assistance  of  a 
person  upon  either  side  to  move  from  place  to  place.  Three  of 
his  sons  served  in  the  army  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War. 
One  died  in  the  service  ;  another  died  after  the  close  of  the 
war  from  disease  contracted  in  the  service  ;  the  third  and  only 
surviving  member  of  the  family  is  Maj.  A.  N.  Damrell,  Engi- 
neer Corps,  U.  S.  A.  In  1856,  the  time  when  the  first  of  those 
enterprises  which  caused  the  growth  and  development  of  Hyde 
Park  was  begun,  Readville  contained  the  bulk  of  the  population 
within  its  limits. 

Fairmount  was  the  spot  selected  for  the  experiment,  and  the 
credit  of  the  first  suggestion  of,  and  of  the  greatest  activity  in 
pushing  forward,  the  particular  plan  which  led  to  the  settlement 
there  must  be  awarded  to  Alpheus  P.  Blake.  He  succeeded  in 
getting  a  reasonable  price  fixed  upon  what  he  wanted,  and  then 
talked  the  matter  up  so  well  among  his  friends  as  to  effect  a 
formal  organization  of  a  number  of  them  at  a  meeting  held 
Sept.  1,  1855,  at  the  residence  of  one  of  the  members  on  Revere 
Street,  Boston.  Mr.  Blake  was  made  president  of  the  company 
thus  formed,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  examine  the 
locality  suggested  by  him. 


15 

Although  the  Midland  Railroad  then  occupied  the  location 
now  of  the  New  York  &  New  England,  it  was  bankrupt  and 
not  in  operation  ;  so  the  investigating  committee  were  obliged 
to  go  to  Mattapan,  on  a  branch  of  the  Old  Colony  Railroad, 
and  thence  walk  some  two  miles  to  their  destination  on  Fair- 
mount  Hill.  This  experience,  with  the  wild  appearance  of  the 
country  it  was  proposed  to  acquire  and  subjugate,  so  discour- 
aged several  of  the  committee  that  they  in  disgust  abandoned 
both  the  place  and  the  enterprise,  and  thus  forfeited  their 
chances  of  future  glory  and  profit.  The  remainder  of  the  asso- 
ciates, however,  to  the  number  of  twenty,  "  stuck,"  formed  a 
trust  company  under  the  title  of  "  The  Fairmount  Land  Com- 
pany and  Twenty  Associates,"  purchased  one  hundred  acres  off 
the  back  part  of  the  farms  of  the  dwellers  upon  the  Brush  Hill 
road  in  Milton,  and  on  the  15th  day  of  May,  1856,  the  first  blow 
toward  the  erection  of  the  first  house  in  Fairmount  was  struck. 
This  building  is  the  one  now  standing  on  the  corner  of  Beacon 
Street  and  Fairmount  Avenue,  at  present  occupied  by  G.  H. 
Peare.  Henry  A.  Rich,  David  Higgins,  and  William  H. 
Nightingale  were  the  first  mechanics.  The  latter  died  some 
years  since ;  the  two  former  are  still  among  the  prominent 
residents  of  our  town. 

It  was  the  plan  of  the  twenty  associates  that  each  should 
build  and  occupy  a  residence  in  the  new  territory.  Most,  if 
not  all,  of  them  did  so,  and  three  of  them,  Messrs.  Fisk, 
Higgins,  and  Payson,  still  live  in  the  houses  then  built  by 
them.  We  present  a  copy  of  a  wood-cut  (page  8),  originally 
printed  in  an  illustrated  paper  of  the  date  May  23,  1857.  The 
association  was  made  up  of  poor  men,  and  great  economy  was 
necessary.  The  land  was  not  fully  paid  for,  the  balance  of  the 
purchase  price  being  secured  by  a  ground  mortgage. 

At  one  time  the  project  was  on  the  point  of  being  abandoned, 
by  reason  of  the  many  obstacles  encountered,  but  the  firmness 
of  the  late  D.  B.  Rich  prevented  this.  The  pioneers  had  a 
hard  time  of  it.  The  nearest  point  at  which  railroad  accommo- 
dations could  be  obtained  was  on  the  Boston  &  Providence,  at 
Kenny's  Bridge,  and  there  but  two  trains  each  way  per  day 
stopped  ;  there  was  no  depot,  and  to    reach    Fairmount    from 


i6 

there  it  was  necessary  to  cross  the  river  in  small  boats,  or  on 
the  stringers  of  the  Midland  Railroad  bridge.  The  lumber  and 
other  material  needed  in  the  construction  of  their  buildings 
was  brought  from  Neponset  by  teams  through  Milton,  and  with 
much  labor  and  difficulty  transported  up  and  over  the  crest  of 
the  hill.  The  mere  preparation  of  roads,  over  which  the 
material  could  be  brought,  was  a  work  of  no  little  amount  on 
that  rough  hillside,  then  far  more  steep  and  uneven  than  now. 
The  nearest  store  was  at  Mattapan  ;  the  nearest  post-offices  at 
Milton  and  East  Dedham.  To  accommodate  the  mechanics 
engaged  upon  the  first  houses,  D.  B.  Rich  opened  a  "  boarding- 
house,"  in  an  old  building,  where  the  seats  were  boxes  and 
kegs,  and  the  other  accommodations  of  like  ostentatious  mag- 
nificence. But  the  settlers  were  resolute  and  full  of  resources. 
They  endured  what  they  could  not  remedy,  and  made  use  of 
every  means  attainable  to  better  their  condition.  Before  long, 
by  joint  contributions  and  efforts,  they  constructed  a  foot- 
bridge across  the  river.  Finding  the  Midland  Railroad  there 
at  hand,  they  resolved  to  utilize  it,  and  did  so,  again  combining 
their  means  and  buying  a  car  with  an  engine  in  one  end,  in 
which  they  journeyed  in  and  out  of  Boston  with  great  rejoic- 
ing, though  they  had  for  some  time  to  dispense  with  a  depot. 

In  1859  the  Real  Estate  &  Building  Company  was  formed, 
and  in  1861  incorporated.  Under  its  efforts,  and  the  enterprise 
of  many  individuals,  the  growth  of  the  place  was  fairly  pro- 
gressing, when  the  Civil  War  came,  upsetting  the  plans  of  so 
many,  and,  by  the  doubt  and  uncertainty  it  engendered,  para- 
lyzing to  a  great  extent  all  enterprises.  The  most  strenuous 
efforts  were  made  by  the  company  and  others  interested  to 
overcome  this  incubus. 

That  these  efforts  were  only  moderately  successful  is  appar- 
ent in  the  admission  made  by  the  building  company  in  its  prospec- 
tus of  1864,  that  during  the  mighty  struggle  of  the  nation  for  its 
existence  special  expenses  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  its  en- 
terprises had  been  mainly  suspended  by  the  company.  Yet  the 
growth  of  the  town  was  not  wholly  arrested  during  this  time,  for 
we  learn  from  a  contemporary  paper  that  in  1862  there  were  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dwellings  in  the  district  between  Brush  Hill 


17 

road,  and  the  Boston  &  Providence  Railroad  station  at  Hyde 
Park,  which  number  had  increased  to  two  hundred  in  1865. 
The  end  of  the  war,  however,  was  the  beginning  of  an  era  of 
truly  wonderful  activity  and  progress  in  this  place,  and  .for  the 
next  seven  years  it  advanced  at  a  marvellous  pace. 

New  lands  in  large  quantities  were  acquired  by  the  building 
companies  and  by  individuals,  platted,  sold,  built  upon,  and  oc- 
cupied with  almost  incredible  rapidity.  In  the  year  1867,  not 
less  than  one  hundred  and  six  dwelling-houses  were  erected,  to 
say  nothing  of  buildings  for  business  and  other  purposes.  The 
price  of  lots  trebled  and  quadrupled  in  value  in  a  few  weeks, 
sometimes  in  a  few  months  increased  twenty-fold. 

The  growth  of  the  place  from  1865  was  largely  due  to  its  nat- 
ural attractiveness,  which  was  now  made  to  appear  through  the 
exertions  of  its  public-spirited  citizens.  Through  their  efforts 
the  establishment  of  manufacturing  and  other  business  interests 
of  great  importance  was  effected,  social  and  moral  needs  were 
well  provided  for,  and  the  unrivalled  railroad  possibilities  devel- 
oped. Local  trains  were  multiplied  on  both  railways,  and  addi- 
tional stopping  places  secured.  When  the  railroad  managers 
doubted  the  expediency  of  establishing  a  new  station  and  erecting 
a  depot  at  any  required  point,  enough  citizens  were  forthcoming 
to  furnish  means  to  build  a  station-house  at  the  place  desired, 
and  lease  or  give  it  to  the  railroad,  on  the  condition  of  adequate 
train  accommodation.  So  great  was  the  demand  for  mechanics 
at  this  time  that  the  most  indifferent  workmen  demanded  exor- 
bitant wages.  This  and  other  inducements  held  out  attracted 
to  the  town  a  not  inconsiderable  number  of  equivocal  characters, 
and,  as  the  credit  system  was  largely  in  practice,  many  a  con- 
fiding trader  was  sadly  victimized. 

But  such  experiences  are  common  to  all  new  and  rapidly  grow- 
ing places,  and  under  this  froth  of  irresponsible  adventurers,  was 
an  able  body  of  earnest,  energetic,  industrious,  laborious,  wide-a- 
wake men,  whose  faith  in  Hyde  Park  was  as  firm  as  adamant, 
and  who  plied  every  instrumentality  without  cessation,  tending 
to  promote  its  prosperity.  So  well  did  they  succeed  that  in 
1867  they  were  in  a  condition  to  ask  for  incorporation.  The 
first  meeting  looking  to  that  end  was  called  at  Music  Hall,  on 


i8 

October  14th  in  that  year,  at  which  E.  P.  Davis  was  chosen  to 
preside,  and  S.  A.  Bradbury  and  Charles  A.  Jordan  as  secreta- 
ries. A  committee  was  appointed  to  consider  the  advisability  of 
forming  a  new  town,  and  the  meeting  adjourned  to  the  22d  of 
the  same  month,  at  which  the  committee  reported  in  favor  of 
the  proposed  action,  describing  the  district  desirable  to  include. 
Almost  all  the  residents  conspicuous  for  their  interest  in  the 
place  were  warm  advocates  of  the  measure. 

A  formal  petition  to  the  General  Court  for  incorporation  of 
the  district  suggested  in  the  committee's  report  was  duly  filed. 
As  illustrative  of  the  transitory  nature  of  the  residents  of  new 
places,  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  of  the  sixteen  men  whose 
names  are  appended  to  this  original  petition  but  five  are  now 
among  our  inhabitants.  The  request  for  incorporation  was 
variously  viewed  by  the  towns  whose  territory  was  affected.  Dor- 
chester made  no  opposition  ;  Dedham  refused  to  yield  so  much 
as  was  asked  for,  and  succeeded  in  keeping  a  portion  of  it. 
Milton  also  objected  strenuously,  the  contest  here  finally 
narrowing  down  to  the  question  whether  the  petitioners  should 
have  the  southeasterly  line  of  their  proposed  town  established 
as  petitioned  for,  so  as  to  include  a  portion  of  the  Brush  Hill 
road  and  some  twenty-seven  families  resident  thereon,  or 
whether  the  line  should  run  along  the  crest  of  Fairmount 
Heights,  several  hundred  feet  northwesterly  from  said  road, 
and  leaving  the  above-mentioned  families  to  remain  within 
Milton's  limits.  Over  this  the  fight  waxed  hot  and  furious. 
In  the  legislative  committee-room  frequent  hearings  were  had 
during  a  period  of  five  or  six  weeks,  which  resulted  at  last  in  a 
report  to  the  Legislature  recommending  a  compromise  line, 
giving  the  petitioners  less  than  they  asked,  but  more  than  the 
Brush  Hill  residents  were  willing  to  concede.  The  outcome 
of  all  this  heated  controversy  was  that  the  act  of  incorporation 
of  the  town  of  Hyde  Park,  passed  and  approved  April  22, 
1868,  took  about  thirteen  hundred  acres  from  Dorchester, 
eight  hundred  from  Dedham,  and  seven  hundred  from  Milton, 
and  left  the  old  residents  along  the  Brush  Hill  road  still 
within  the  boundaries  of  Milton,  and  presumably  happy.  The 
new  town  promptly  organized  on    the   30th   day  of   the   same 


J9 

month,  Maj.  William  Rogers,  formerly  of  Governor  Andrew's 
staff,  being  chosen, moderator  of  the  first  town-meeting. 

The  recipients  of  municipal  honors  were  not  elected  without 
vigorous  opposition.  Hyde  Park  esteems  the  places  in  its  gift 
too  highly  to  bestow  them  easily.  There  were  no  less  than 
five  tickets  in  the  field  ;  the  regular  caucus  nominations  being 
the  successful  ones.  The  custom  thus  inaugurated  of  lively 
competition  for  town  offices  has  ever  since  been  honored  with 
implicit  observance.  A  section  of  Capl.  Baxter's  Light 
Battery  was  present,  and  hailed  the  birth  of  the  new  town  with 
a  salute  of  one  hundred  guns.  The  citizens  made  a  holiday  of 
the  occasion,  and  celebrated  the  event  with  rejoicings,  and 
plentiful  displays  of  fireworks  in  the  evening.  A  fine  rainbow 
at  sunset  was  accepted  as  a  propitious  omen,  significant  of  the 
future  lustre  of  the  town. 

At  this  time  there  were  in  the  town  four  schoolhouses,  only 
one  of  which,  however,  was  of  any  considerable  size  or  value  ; 
six  religious  societies,  three  of  which  worshipped  in  churches  of 
their  own,  and  the  remainder  in  hired  halls  ;  and  of  manufac- 
turing industries,  besides  the  cotton-mill  and  the  paper-mill, 
a  woollen-mill,  a  vise-factory,  iron-works,  car-shops,  and  a 
needle-factory.  The  population  was  about  three  thousand  five 
hundred,  the  number  of  poles  seven  hundred  and  seventy-four, 
and  the  valuation,  as  fixed  on  the  ist  of  May  following,  two 
million  nine  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

One  of  the  leading  motives  which  had  caused  the  mass  of  the 
residents  of  Hyde  Park  to  respond  so  warmly  to  the  project  of 
incorporation,  had  been  the  feeling  that  their  needs  had  not 
received  sufficient  attention  from  the  parent  towns  of  which  it 
was  previously  a  part.  The  school  accommodations  were  very 
inadequate,  the  buildings  insufficient  in  dimensions  and  incon- 
venient in  location.  Most  of  the  streets  had  been  made  by  the 
adjacent  owners,  and,  as  few  of  them  had  been  accepted  by  the 
towns,  they  were  of  different  widths,  ungraded,  and  in  many 
instances  full  of  obstructions.  Few  of  them  were  furnished 
with  lights,  and  most  of  these  were  at  private  charge.  There 
was  no  fire  department,  or  any  reliable  means  of  subduing  a 
conflagration.     To  remedy  all  these  deficiencies,  and   number- 


20 


less  others,  the  citizens  had  asked  for  and  obtained  self-govern- 
ment. Many  thoughtlessly  expected  that  it  would  prove  an 
immediate  panacea  for  all  their  disabilities.  So  it  will  be  well 
believed  that  for  the  first  few  years  the  town  officers  had  no 
easy  time  of  it. 

All  those  things,  usually  the  result  of  many  years  of  quiet 
effort  in  towns  of  slow  growth,  were  here  crowded,  as  it  were, 
in  a  moment  upon  the  attention  of  the  people  and  their  official 
agents.      The    latter    addressed    themselves   to   meeting   the 
demands  thus    made    upon   them,  with    creditable   ability  and 
success.     Miles  of  streets  were  accepted,  graded,  widened,  or 
re-located,  and  bridges  built  or  extensively  repaired,  a  good  fire 
department  organized  and  well  equipped,  and  a  suitable  building 
constructed  for  its  occupation,  and  many  other  things  done  to 
put  the  town  on  a  proper  footing.     The  number  of  school  chil- 
dren  increased  so  fast  that  within  the    first  five    years  of  its 
corporate  existence,  the  town  was  obliged  to  erect  four  large 
buildings  at  a  cost  of  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand 
dollars.     All  these  improvements  called  for  large  expenditures, 
most  of  which  were  met  by  direct  taxation,  but  a  considerable 
amount  by  borrowing,  which  last  expedient  soon  raised  a  debt 
of  very   respectable   proportions.     The   burden    thus    incurred 
soon  began  to  be  felt  very  sensibly  by  the    owners  of   land, 
which  constituted  seven-eights  of  the  taxable  property  of  the 
town,    and    soon   all   propositions    looking   to   further   outlays 
became  fruitful  sources  of  contest,  protest,  and  more  or  less 
successful    log-rolling.      The    town-meeting    was    the    natural 
arena  for  the  final  fight  on  these  matters,  and  Hyde  Park  town- 
meetings  have  always  been  considered  particularly  interesting, 
though  it  is  said  that  of  late  they  have  lost  somewhat  of  their 
pristine  brilliancy,  and  there  are  dark  fears  expressed  that   ere 
long  they  will  become  as  unexciting  and  commonplace  as  those 
of  less  favored  communities.     But  it  is  not  to   be  understood 
that  a  niggardly  policy  has  ever  controlled  this  town  ;  on  the 
contrary,  if  it  has  erred  at  all,  it  has  been  in  the  opposite  direc- 
tion.    During  the  twenty  years  of  its  existence  it  has  raised 
by  taxation  upwards  of  $1,514,000,  or  an  average  of  $75,700 
per   year.     Of  this,  about   $211,900,   or   a   yearly   average   of 


^  > 

3  * 

3  wJ 

«  F 

^-  O 

o  O 

«  M 

£  W 

•  H 

a  X 

3  C 

5'  > 

w 


21 

$IO>595>  has  been  expended  upon  streets  and  bridges  (besides 
$20,000  each  year,  for  two  years,  for  permanent  improvements, 
and  which  has  been  added  to  the  town  debt)  ;  and  not  less  than 
$618,000,  an  average  of  over  $30,900  per  year,  has  been  devoted 
to  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  public  schools. 

For  several  years  the  town  business  was  transacted  in  rooms 
and  halls  hired  for  the  purpose.  This  was  felt  to  be  inconven- 
ient, and  a  town  building  was  desired  by  many.  A  controversy, 
probably  the  most  intense  of  any  which  has  ever  agitated  the 
town,  and  which  certainly  stands  out  most  prominently  in  the 
recollection  of  the  participators,  arose  in  1870,  over  a  proposi- 
tion to  purchase  for  the  above  named  purpose,  an  edifice  re- 
cently erected  on  the  corner  of  Gordon  Avenue  and  River 
Street,  and  known  as  Gordon  Hall.  Meeting  after  meeting 
was  called  to  decide  the  vexed  question,  "  Should  or  not  the 
building  be  bought  by  the  town  ?  "  After  much  contention  the 
property  was  finally  purchased,  but  it  was  accidentally  destroyed 
by  fire  March  8,  1883. 

The  year  1870  was  quite  prolific  in  notable  events  here. 
Then  it  was  that  another  public  demonstration  was  made  in  the 
dauntless  attempt  of  some  of  its  female  citizens  to  storm  the 
ballot-box  and  exercise  the  full  powers  of  untrammelled  suffrage, 
which  carried  the  name  and  fame  of  Hyde  Park  into  distant 
states  and  even  beyond  seas,  and  a  failure  to  note  which  would 
render  a  sketch  of  the  town's  history  undeserving  the  toleration 
of  the  fairer  and  mightier  part  of  its  population.  For  some 
time  previous  to  the  March  meeting,  1870,  there  had  been  signs 
and  portents  of  approaching  trouble,  which  took  visible  form 
and  shape  when  a  placard  appeared  addressed  to  the  women  of 
Hyde  Park,  inviting  them  to  attend  a  caucus,  to  be  held  March 
4th,  to  select  candidates  for  the  various  town  offices,  the  same 
to  be  supported  by  the  women  at  the  polls.  The  caucus  was 
duly  held  and  well  attended  ;  stirring  addresses  were  made  incit- 
ing the  auditors  to  stand  by  the  position  they  had  taken  in  the 
front  rank  of  the  woman-suffrage  movement,  to  make  up  their 
ticket  and  back  it  at  the  polls. 

Election  day  fell  that  year  upon  March  8th,  and  proved  to  be 
a  stormy  one,  snowy  and  blustering ;  yet  some   fifty  ladies    as- 


sembled  in  the  Everett  House  parlors,  whence  they  proposed 
to  make  their  descent  in  a  body  upon  the  voting-place.  At 
this  place  a  large  number  of  voters  had  congregated,  much 
excitement  prevailed,  and  it  was  feared  that  unmanly  measures 
might  be  adopted.  But  when  the  occasion  arises  the  man  for 
the  occasion  is  generally  on  hand. 

He  was  here  and  in  the  right  place.  The  moderator's  chair 
was  occupied  by  Sylvanus  Cobb,  Jr.,  the  well-known  novelist, 
whose  pen  and  voice  were  always  ready  to  speed  on  reform, 
progress,  and  development,  whose  soul  could  not  tolerate  in- 
justice or  oppression.  His  attitude,  aided  much  undoubtedly  by 
that  high  esteem  and  love  for  him  which  has  always  character- 
ized his  fellow-citizens,  produced  a  calm  on  the  floor,  and  the 
ladies,  without  further  molestation,  advanced  and  deposited 
their  ballots  in  a  separate  box,  and  at  once  left  the  room.  The 
deed  was  clone !     The  women  had  voted. 

The  call  for  aid  to  the  sufferers  from  the  great  Chicago  fire 
met  with  a  liberal  response  from  Hyde  Park.  Frequent 
meetings  were  held,  and  upwards  of  five  thousand  dollars,  in 
addition  to  large  supplies  of  clothing,  bedding,  and  necessaries, 
were  contributed.  In  this  noble  work  the  ladies  were  as  usual 
untiring,  Mrs.  Dr.  Edwards,  Mrs.  A.  H.  Brainard,  and  Miss 
Nettie  Richardson  being  specially  prominent. 

The  financial  panic  which  swept  over  the  country  in  the 
latter  part  of  1873  fell  with  excessive  weight  upon  Hyde  Park 
and  almost  menaced  its  future  existence.  The  reasons  for  this 
result  are  readily  apparent.  The  very  methods  which  had  been 
adopted  to  cause  the  town  to  fill  up  and  build  up  so  fast,  the 
selling  of  land  for  a  small  sum  down  and  a  large  sum  secured 
by  mortgage,  rendered  it  peculiarly  open  to  such  a  catastrophe 
as  then  came  upon  it.  The  greater  part  of  the  real  estate  was 
under  mortgage,  not  a  little  of  it  to  an  amount  nearly  up  to 
even  its  inflated  valuation.  The  assessors  had  yielded  to  the 
craze,  partly  from  sharing  in  it,  partly,  perhaps,  to  keep  down 
the  percentage  of  taxation  by  a  high  valuation.  Then  the 
depression  in  business  and  the  destruction  by  fire  of  several 
mills  caused  the  abandonment  of  a  number  of  productive 
industries,  the    consequent    removal    of   many   operatives   and 


23 

families  to  other  places,  and  a  great  falling  off  in  the  demand 
for  residences,  apd  for  the  general  commodities  of  life.  All 
this  operated  to  cause  the  bottom  to  fall  out  of  real  estate,  and 
a  reduction  in  the  apparent  value  of  all  property  in  the  town  of 
nearly  fifty  per  cent.  This  is  seen  by  comparing  the  assessed 
valuation  of  May  i,  1873,  to  wit:  real  estate,  $6,608,179; 
personal,  $901,636;  with  the  valuation  May  1,  1880,  namely, 
real  estate,  $3,701,250;  personal,  $421,640.  This  fearful 
shrinkage  discouraged  many  who  had  been  holding  on  to  their 
estates  by  the  eyelids  as  it  were.  The  process  of  shaking 
things  down  to  a  substantial  foundation  was  decidedly  un- 
pleasant, but  the  outcome  has  been  beneficial.  The  estates 
lost  by  their  unlucky  former  possessors  have  become  the 
property  of  others  better  able  to  hold,  improve,  and  beautify 
them,  and  the  town  has  thus  gained  in  its  outward  appearance 
and  the  number  of  its  well-to-do  citizens.  A  greater  conserva- 
tism is  manifested  in  public  and  private  enterprises,  and  the 
present  status  of  the  town  is  one  of  healthy  and  well-based 
prosperity.  Its  net  debt,  which  in  1873  was  $\j%,j66,  is  now 
reduced  to  less  than  $106,000,  and  by  means  of  the  sinking 
fund,  as  now  managed,  will  be  entirely  liquidated  in  a  few 
years  ;  and  this  debt  is  placed  on  terms  as  favorable  as  those 
enjoyed  by  any  town  or  city  in  the  state. 

Notwithstanding  the  pressure  of  the  "  hard  times,"  the  citi- 
zens of  Hyde  Park  were  fully  awake  on  Centennial  year.  They 
were  well  represented  at  the  Exposition  both  by  products  and 
by  visitors,  and  they  celebrated  the  glorious  Fourth  in  the  most 
enthusiastic  manner.  The  day  began  with  a  procession,  fol- 
lowed by  a  meeting  of  citizens  in  the  grove,  corner  of  Austin 
and  West  Streets,  which  was  presided  over  by  E.  R.  Walker, 
chairman  of  the  Board  of  Selectmen.  Here  there  was  singing 
by  chorus,  prayer  by  Rev.  P.  B.  Davis,  reading  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  by  G.  Fred.  Gridley  ;  singing  of  "  The 
Star  Spangled  Banner,"  by  Miss  M.  C.  Pollard  ;  oration,  by 
Hamilton  A.  Hill  ;  and  singing  of  "America,"  by  the  audience. 

At  four  o'clock  p.  m.  union  religious  services  were  held  in 
the  Congregational  Church.  At  seven  o'clock  p.  m.  an  immense 
meeting  was  held  in   Everett   Square,  and  the  new  pump  pre- 


24 

sented  to  the  town  by  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance 
Union,  of  Hyde  Park,  was  dedicated.  Mr.  Walker  presided, 
and  an  address  was  delivered  by  E.  I.  Humphrey,  which  was 
followed  by  a  fine  original  poem  by  Charles  F.  Gerry.  A  flag, 
the  gift  of  N.  H.  Tucker,  was  then  presented  by  Miss  Nettie 
B.  Richardson,  accepted  by  Mr.  Humphrey  in  a  brief  speech, 
and  run  up  to  the  top  of  the  flagstaff,  amid  the  cheers  of  the 
assembled  multitude.  A  regatta  and  an  exhibition  of  athletic 
sports  were  among  the  other  attractions,  and  at  night  a  grand 
display  of  fireworks  closed  the  stirring  observance  of  the  day. 
Another  event  in  commemoration  of  that  year  was  a  great  tree- 
planting,  which  took  place  October  28,  when  more  than  eight 
hundred  and  fifty  shade  trees  were  set  along  the  streets  and 
avenues  of  the  town.  This  was  brought  about  mainly  through 
the  efforts  of  Charles  F.  Holt,  and  has  been  the  cause  of  many 
more  being  planted  since,  adding  greatly  to  the  beauty  and 
comfort  of  the  thoroughfares. 

This  same  year,  1876,  is  also  memorable  in  the  history  of  the 
town  on  account  of  the  great  temperance  reform  movement 
which  began  here  in  the  spring.  The  Temperance  Reform 
Club,  then  formed,  during  that  year  and  the  following  held 
weekly  public  meetings,  at  which  one  of  the  largest  halls  was 
frequently  filled  to  overflowing,  and  sometimes  hundreds  were 
unable  to  gain  admittance.  The  good  results  of  this  organiza- 
tion are  inestimable.  By  it  many  were  redeemed  from  lives  of 
gross  indulgence;  many  more  were  stopped  in  a  downward 
career  towards  such  lives  ;  the  subject  of  temperance  and 
morality  was  brought  home  to  every  thinking  mind  ;  and  the 
sentiment  thus  awakened  has  placed  and  kept  this  town  among 
the  foremost  in  opposition  to  the  encroachments  of  alcohol,  and 
in  support  of  all  restrictive  measures. 

In  this  connection  it  will  not  be  amiss  to  state  that  the 
Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  which  has  been  a 
power  for  good  in  this  community,  was  begun  here  by  an 
organization  formed  by  a  few  women,  April  26,  1876.  It 
became  at  once  auxiliary  to  the  state  organization  of  the 
Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  and  worked  under  the 
direction  of  the  national  organization.     Mrs.  William  Sturtevant 


25 

was  its  first  president,  and  until  her  death,  some  four  years 
subsequent,  was  one  of  its  most  earnest  and  efficient  members. 

The  work  done  by  this  body  of  devoted  women  in  the 
promotion  of  Christianity  and  temperance  cannot  be  detailed 
here.  It  has  contributed  greatly  to  the  large  majority  here 
against  the  licensing  of  the  liquor  traffic,  by  communicating 
directly  with  every  voter  before  election,  and  by  the  personal 
solicitations  of  its  members  at  the  polls. 

The  Union  has  also  enlisted  the  co-operation  of  the  younger 
ladies  of  the  community,  who  have  organized  themselves  into  a 
Young  Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  commonly 
designated  the  "  Y,"  which  has  for  its  object  the  enlistment  of 
young  women  in  the  work  of  making  total  abstinence  a  fashion- 
able social  custom  ;  and  also  to  aid  them  in  understanding  the 
scientific  and  ethical  reasons  for  total  abstinence  and  prohibi- 
tion. Although  only  started  last  December,  it  is  already  a 
flourishing  organization. 

The  Great  Flood.  —  February  15,  1886,  is  a  date  never 
to  be  forgotten  by  many  who  suffered  from  the  ravages  of  the 
waters  at  that  time.  Neponset  River  and  Mother  Brook, 
swollen  by  the  melting  of  a  winter's  snow  and  an  almost  unprece- 
dented fall  of  rain  upon  the  ice-encrusted  and  frozen  surface, 
were  raging  torrents,  overflowing  their  banks  in  every  direction, 
and  carrying  destruction  before  them.  The  Neponset  was 
nearly  nine  feet  above  its  usual  level,  and  Mother  Brook  the 
highest  ever  known.  The  wooden  bridge  on  Bridge  Street  was 
swept  away,  and  as  many  as  eighty  families  were  obliged  to 
vacate  their  homes.  All  the  manufacturing  and  business 
establishments  near  both  streams  suffered  a  loss  aggregating 
many  thousands  of  dollars. 

The  Public  Library. —Through  the  influence  of  some 
of  the  citizens  of  Hyde  Park  interested  in  its  future  welfare,  the 
town  in  1871  appointed  the  following  gentlemen  a  committee 
to  raise  funds  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  free  public 
library :  — Rev.  P.  B.  Davis,  Rev.  I.  H.  Gilbert,  Rev.  F.  C. 
Williams,  H.  R.  Cheney,  E.  M.  Lancaster,  H.  M.  Cable,  E.  P. 
Davis,  E.  E.  Pratt,  and  Theodore  D.  Weld. 


26 


The  committee  held  their  first  meeting  at  the  house  of  A. 
D.  Havvley,  whose  failing  health  prevented  him  from  taking  an 
active  part  in  the  cause  in  which  he  felt  so  much  interest. 
They  made  personal  applications  for  subscriptions,  and 
arranged  for  a  course  of  weekly  lectures  and  entertainments, 
extending  over  six  months,  for  the  benefit  of  the  fund ;  they 
also  solicited  donations  of  books,  and  instituted  measures  for  a 
general  town  fair  to  be  organized  and  conducted  by  the  ladies 
of  Hyde  Park.  Early  in  June  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  vestry 
of  the  Baptist  church,  when  they  organized  with  a  president 
(Mrs.  L.  B.  Hunt),  and  six  vice-presidents,  one  from    each  re- 


MASOXIC    BLOCK. 


ligious  society,  —  Mrs.  G.  B.  Parrott,  Mrs.  A.  R.  Whittier, 
Mrs.  F.  C.  Williams,  Mrs.  H.  G.  Raynes,  Mrs.  E.  D.  Swallow, 
Mrs.  A.  O'Neil.  An  admirable  fair  was  held  which  netted  up- 
wards of  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 

The  report  of  the  general  committee  made  April  u,  1872, 
gave  as  the  net  result  in  hand  for  the  library  fund,  four  thous- 
and four  hundred  and  sixty-six  dollars  and  seventy  cents,  and 
upwards  of  one  thousand  books  donated. 

Theodore  D.  Weld  was  especially  prominent  in  accomplish- 
ing this  gratifying  result.  The  amount  was  considerably 
augmented  by  subsequent  payment  of  subscriptions. 


27 

The  library  was  opened  to  the  public  in  March,  1874,  in 
Everett  Block,  with  W.  E.  Foster  as  librarian,  and  three 
thousand  seven  hundred  volumes  ready  for  circulation. 

The  first  board  of  trustees  consisted  of  Theodore  D.  Weld, 
Rev.  P.  B.  Davis,  Rev.  I.  H.  Gilbert,  elected  for  three  years  ; 
Rev.  E.  A.  Manning,  H.  M.  Cable,  E.  M.  Lancaster,  for  two 
years  ;  Rev.  W.  J.  Corcoran,  E.  S.  Hathaway,  C.  W.  W.  Welling- 
ton, for  one  year. 

Mr.  Foster  remained  as  librarian  till  his  resignation  in  1876, 
when  he  was  followed  by  Mr.  Reeves,  who  was  succeeded  in 
October  of  the  same  year  by  Mrs.  H.  A.  B.  Thompson,  in 
charge  at  the  present  time,  with  Miss  Mary  Hawley  as 
assistant. 

The  library  has  greatly  increased  in  size  and  circulation  the 
last  few  years.  It  now  contains  nine  thousand  five  hundred 
volumes.  The  names  of  nine  thousand  and  fifty  persons  have 
been  registered  for  cards. 

The  library  remained  in  Everett  Block  until  Feb.,  1884,  when, 
having  outgrown  its  limits,  it  was  removed  to  rooms  specially  pre- 
pared for  it  in  the  Masonic  Block,  affording  much  more  ample 
accommodations.  The  board  of  trustees  as  at  present  constitu- 
ted is  as  follows  :  H.  B.  Miner,  D.  C.  Marr,-F.  B.  Rich,  G.  F. 
Gridley,  Edmund  Davis,  G.  L.  Stone,  C.  C.  Hayes,  M.  D.,  A. 
H.  Brainard,  C.  F.  Jenney.  H.  B.  Miner,  Chairman,  G.  F.  Grid- 
ley,  Treasurer,  G.  L.  Stone,  Secretary. 

Post  Off  ice. —  No  other  institution  shows  more  forcibly 
the  growth  of  our  town,  and  it  may  be  interesting  to  trace  its 
progress  briefly.  In  the  early  days,  David  Higgins  brought 
the  mail  from  Boston.  The  first  postmaster  was  J.  Russel 
Story,  the  first  mail  arriving  in  August  or  September,  1857, 
consisting  of  one  letter  and  two  or  three  papers.  The  office 
was  in  the  corner  of  a  country  store,  in  the  same  building  with 
Union  Hall,  opposite  New  York  and  New  England  depot. 
Mr.  Story  was  succeeded  in  1858  by  Amos  Angell,  and  he  in 
turn  by  E.  E.  Blake  in  1861.  He  in  turn  was  followed  by 
E.  E.  Williamson  in  1863.  Keeping  the  office  for  about  one 
year,  he  resigned,  and  Barney  Connor,  as  assistant  postmaster 


28 

took  charge  of  it  for  another  year.  Then  Thomas  Hammond, 
in  1865  was  appointed  and  kept  it  until  1868,  to  be  followed  by 
H.  C.  Adams,  who  was  in  charge  at  the  time  of  incorporation. 
Upon  his  retirement  Wm.  J.  Stuart  was  appointed,  October, 
1 871,  serving  until  August,  1873,  and  giving  place  to  Silas  P. 
Blodgett.  During  his  term  the  office  was  destroyed  in  the  fire 
of  Neponset  Block,  May,  1874,  but  phcenix-like  it  rose  from  its 
ashes  and  was  ready  for  business  next  morning.  Under  Mr. 
Blodgett  it  prospered  and  underwent  many  important  changes 
to  meet,  the  demands  of  increased  business.  July  1,  1878,  it  was 
made  a  money-order  office,  and  since  that  time  upwards  of  9,200 
orders  have  been  issued.  Aug.  1,  1885,  Mr.  Blodgett  resigned, 
and  H.  C.  Stark,  our  present  efficient  official,  was  appointed. 
During  his  administration  the  office  has  increased  rapidly  in 
size  and  importance,  being  raised  to  the  second  class,  and  we 
hope  soon  to  be  accommodated  with  the  free  delivery  system. 
A  new  lease  for  five  years  of  the  present  quarters  in  Neponset 
Block  has  been  taken,  the  office  entirely  remodelled,  and 
furnished  with  the  newest  and  most  approved  boxes  and 
lockers. 

Sumner  Hall. — The  old  manse  on  East  River  Street, 
known  as  the  Sumner  House,  one  of  the  oldest  in  town,  was 
built  in  1790,  by  Mr.  William  Sumner,  father  of  the  late  Miss 
Sally  R.  Sumner.  It  was  a  well-built  structure,  with  a  frame- 
work of  massive  beams,  and  finished  in  the  style  of  the  day 
with  panelled  wainscoting  and  fluted  cornices.  It  contained 
twelve  rooms  which  were  amply  filled  by  Mr.  Sumner's  thirteen 
children,  nine  of  whom  were  girls,  who,  with  slight  exceptions, 
spent  their  entire  lives  here.  They  were  confessedly  a  family 
of  unusual  beauty,  wit,  and  intelligence,  and  the  broad  hall  ex- 
tending through  the  house  was  the  scene  of  many  a  festive  oc- 
casion. 

Mr.  Sumner  was  a  descendant  of  William  Sumner,  of  Dor- 
chester, who  came  from  England  in  1636.  He  was  a  soldier  in 
the  revolutionary  line,  and  was  often  in  active  service.  He  took 
part  in  moving  to  Dorchester  Heights,  in  the  secrecy  of  night, 
the  fascines  used  for  the  fortifications  there,  by  aid  of  which  the 


29 

British  were  compelled  to  evacuate  Boston.  These  were  cut 
from  Pine  Garden/  a  portion  of  the  Sumner  estate  in  Hyde 
Park,  a  spot  chosen  on  account  of  its  obscurity  by  General 
Washington  himself,  who  rode  more  than  once  over  the  ground 
on  horseback. 

Mr.  Sumner  was  engaged  in  paper  making  for  more  than 
thirty  years,  owning  the  mills  and  water  privilege  on  the  site 
now  occupied  by  the  Tileston  &  Hollingsworth  paper-mills.  He 
was  a  generous,  warm-hearted  man,  in  belief  a  Universalist,^and 
the  old  flagstone  is  still   at   the  hall  door  where  "  Father?Bal- 


SUMNER    HALL. 
(From  a  sketch  by  Miss  Sarah  M.  Vose.) 


lou,"  the  apostle  of  Universalism,  loved  to  place  his  chair  and 
discourse  upon  the  principles  of  his  faith  to  his  friend  and  host. 
The  house,  the  old  barn  with  its  mows  and  swallows'  nests, 
the  fields,  woods,  and  tranquil  river,  were  familiar  scenes  to  the 
Hon.  Charles  Sumner,  who  spent  many  happy  vacation  hours 
here.  At  the  time  of  the  incorporation  of  the  town  of  Hyde 
Park  two  daughters  of  Mr.  Sumner,  the  Misses  Clarissa  and 
Sally  R.,  were  with  their  niece,  Miss  Eliza  Fessenden,  the  only 
representatives  of  the  family  left  at  the  house.  With  them 
lived  also  a  brother-in-law,  Col.  Nathaniel  Crane,  who  was  one 
of  "  Nature's  Noblemen,"  a  true-hearted  old-school  gentleman 


beloved  and  respected  by  all.     A  year  ago  the  last  of  the  group, 
Miss  Sally  R.  Sumner,  passed  away. 

The  homestead  remains  almost  untouched  by  the  hand  of 
man,  while  the  hand  of  time  has  borne  heavily  upon  it.  The 
original  clapboards  are  there,  the  first  window  sashes,  the  old 
knocker,  and  many  of  the  great  square  iron  locks,  with  their 
brass  handles  worn  by  the  touch  of  so  many  hands  now  turned 
to  dust.  The  inside  finish  is  the  same,  and  in  many  respects  the 
old  house  is  as  it  came  from  the  hand  of  the  builder.  It  stands 
a  "  silent  witness  "  of  the  mysteries  of  life  and  death  which  for 
a  century  have  revealed  themselves  within  its  walls. 

The  religious  societies  claim  a  more  extended  notice. 

First  Baptist  Church. —  The  first  prayer  meeting  ever 
held  on  Fairmount  was  suggested  by  the  late  Mrs.  John  Wil- 
liams and  was  at  the  house  of  Mr.  David  Higgins,  near  the 
top  of  Fairmount,  in  1857.  This  meeting  became  a  "  circular 
feast,"  visiting  at  several  houses  and  preparing  "  the  way  of 
the  Lord." 

When  Mr.  Geo.  Pierce  built  his  hall,  on  what  is  now  corner 
of  Highland  Street,  he  expected  that  the  Union  meetings 
would  be  transferred  thither  from  the  Railroad  Hall.  But  the 
reluctance  of  some  to  join  the  Baptists  in  this  centrally  located 
new  hall  resulted  in  the  decision  to  form  a  church  to  be  called 
"The  First  Baptist  Church  in  Milton."  The  first  council 
relative  to  the  church  about  to  be  formed  hardly  dared  to  rec- 
ognize it,  and  before  a  second  enlarged  council  met,  the  church 
was  advised  to  recall  the  invitation  and  thus  avoid  expressed 
non-recognition.  But  the  "  smoking  flax "  was  not  to  be 
quenched  ;  rather  was  it  a  light  "  set  on  a  hill." 

Sept.  23,  1858,  ten  persons  met  at  Mr.  Hannaford's  and 
signed  articles  of  faith.  Earnest  were  the  prayers  which  went 
up  from  the  hillside  for  God's  blessing  on  this,  the  first  cJuircJi 
in  the  future  town  of  Hyde,  Park. 

Thursday,  Sept.  24,  Rev.  D.  C.  Eddy,  of  Boston,  preached  the 
inaugural  sermon  in  Fairmount  Hall.  Sept.  26,  Rev.  Wm. 
Howe,  of  Boston,  preached  twice  at  the  first  Sunday  services,  to 
about  fifty  persons.     At    noon   a  Sunday  school  was  formed 


3i 


to  be  called  "  The  Fairmount  Sunday  school "  ;  teachers  and 
scholars  in  all  twenty-five  ;  prayer  meetings  on  two  evenings. 
A  lease  of  the  hall  for  five  years  was  taken  of  Mr.  Pierce,  at 
$75  per  year.  Dea.  Wm.  Holland,  of  Boston,  officiated  for 
some  months, —  a  man  of  lovely  spirit,  who  did  a  good  work. 
The  first  year  the  amount  raised  was  $110.75;  amount  ex- 
pended, $1 10  10. 


FIRST    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

June  1,  i860,  Rev.  Dr.  Amos  Webster  baptized  the  first  con- 
vert in  connection  with  the  Baptist  interest,  in  the  river.  It 
was  voted  that  the  male  members  take  turns  as  deacons. 
After  seven  churches  had  sat  in  council  with  four  brethren  for 
the  church,  a  public  recognition  was  given  Sept.  4,  i860. 
In  October  Dr.  Webster,  who  had  come  here  to  reside,  agreed 
to  supply  the  pulpit  so  long  as  mutually  desired.  The  society 
was  indebted  for  his  counsel  as  to  legal  and  monetary  interests 
during  those  struggling  days. 


32 

In  the  summer  of  1863  Rev.  G.  R.  Darrow  began  to  preach, 
and  shortly  afterwards  was  settled  as  pastor ;  an  open-hearted, 
earnest  man.  Though  acceptable  to  most  members  he  resigned 
in  eighteen  months.  In  the  autumn  of  1863  Rev.  A.  B.  Earle 
held  meetings  in  the  hall  for  several  weeks,  which  with  after- 
meetings  resulted  in  the  renewal  of  about  two-score  souls ;  for 
the  size  of  the  place,  it  was  pentecostal.  In  the  midst  of  this 
holy  hush  came  an  order  to  vacate  the  hall  within  a  month. 
It  had  changed  owners,  but  in  a  few  weeks  converting  grace 
came  into  the  new  owner's  family  and  the  order  was  revoked. 

Here  again  was  an  indication  for  an  onward  move,  and  the 
society  decided  to  secure  a  more  sure  anchorage.  "The  Real 
Estate  and  Building  Company  "  virtually  made  a  gift  of  a  lot  of 
land,  corner  of  what  is  now  Davison  Street.  Mr.  Geo.  Parrott 
gave  plans  for  a  chapel  and  "every  man  had  a  mind  to  work." 
By  moonlight  picks  loosened  and  shovels  scooped.  David 
Higgins  gave  forty-two  days'  carpenter  work,  Geo.  Pierce  and 
others  gave  time,  and  so  with  hired  labor  the  work  reached,  — 
dedication. 

November,  1864,  Rev.  A.  DeF.  Palmer  was  invited  to  supply 
the  pulpit  until  the  next  spring.  Rev.  A.  C.  Skinner  served 
the  church  as  pastor  from  Oct.,  1865,  to  May,  1866.  The 
church  in  its  first  seven  years  increased  to  seventy  members, 
and  in  the  winter  of  1866  removed  debt  by  paying  some 
$1,700, —  a  great  achievement.  It  had  also  contributed  a  be- 
loved member  as  a  missionary  —  Miss  Bradbury,  who  went  to 
Burmah  as  Mrs.  Bunker. 

In  September,  1866,  Rev.  W.  H.  S.  Ventres  became  pastor. 
The  village  was  growing,  and  a  more  commodious  edifice  was 
desired.  To  effect  this,  great  exertions  had  to  be  made.  The 
chapel  was  moved  to  a  rear  lot,  and  finally  rented.  Mr. 
Gordon  H.  Nott,  an  Episcopalian,  generously  gave,  unsolicited, 
nearly  10,000  feet  of  land  in  the  rear  of  the  original  site.  Mr. 
T.  C.  Evans  put  his  energy  into  the  work  of  building,  which 
crystallized  the  labors  of  many  others,  among  such,  Mr.  Chas. 
Pierce.     Mr.  Ventres  resigned  in  June,  1870. 

Many  townspeople  helped  as  to  the  new  edifice,  and  in  re- 
turn  they   have   received   the   benefit    of   a   clock  facing    the 


33 

avenue.  "The  clear-toned  Baptist  bell"  is  one  of  the  richest 
in  town.  But  a  de"bt  of  ten  thousand  dollars  was  also  an 
adjunct.  In  the  autumn  of  1870  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  I.  H. 
Gilbert  and  the  people  entered  the  audience  room  together,  he 
giving  the  dedication  sermon.  Rev.  Dr.  Webster  also  gave  an 
historical  sketch  of  the  church.  After  doing  a  harmonizing 
work,  in  view  of  the  society's  pecuniary  condition,  May,  1876, 
Pastor  Gilbert  sent  in  his  second  resignation,  which  was  ac- 
cepted with  commendatory  resolves. 

Early  in  1877,  Rev.  D.  C.  Eddy,  D.  D.,  became  his  successor. 
His  preaching  was  highly  prized.  Near  the  close  of  his 
ministry  an  effort  was  made  to  reduce  the  debt,  which  had 
doubled,  owing  in  part  to  buying  a  parsonage.  $5,000  was 
collected,  and  the  town  paid  nearly  $370  for  a  strip  of  land. 
Dr.  Eddy,  in  1881,  accepted  a  call  elsewhere  and  the  society 
tendered  him  a  farewell  reception,  large  and  hearty. 

Rev.  Gorham  Easterbrook  was  installed  June  23,  1881  ;  a 
superior  preacher.  He  preached  his  farewell  sermon  May  2, 
1884.  In  September,  1883,  was  celebrated  the  twenty-fifth  anni- 
versary of  the  church  and  Sunday  school.  In  the  forenoon 
Rev.  Mr.  Easterbrook  preached.  In  the  afternoon  at  the 
Sunday  school  anniversary  Miss  E.  A.  Stone  gave  an  historical 
sketch.  T.  C.  Evans,  Supt,  had  had  three  terms  of  office, 
seventeen  years  in  all  ;  2,091  different  ones  had  belonged  to 
the  school.  In  the  evening  Rev.  Mr.  Gilbert  gave  an  historical 
account  of  the  church,  referring  to  the  "  troublous  times,"  polit- 
ically and  financially,  in  which  the  walls  had  gone  up,  and 
paying  tribute  to  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Evans,  and  the  ability  of 
Mr.  T.  H.  Videto,  treasurer.  On  Monday  evening  a  "reunion  " 
festival  was  enjoyed  in  the  vestry,  at  which  Deacon  Wm. 
Holland  and  Dr.  S.  F.  Smith,  the  workers  of  early  days,  were 
guests. 

June  12,  1884,  Rev.  H.  W.  Tilden  was  unanimously  called  as 
pastor.  He  holds  a  goodly  congregation  ;  beloved  at  home,  re- 
spected abroad.  Dec.  13,  the  late  Rev.  A.  K.  Potter,  of  Roxbury, 
aided  the  pastor  in  stimulating  towards  the  removal  of  the 
society's  debt,  Si  1,800,  exclusive  of  the  parsonage.  Pledges 
were  given.     In  the  evening,  the  balance  was  provided  for. 


34 

The  Sewing  Society  has  given  S500  towards  the  removal  of 
the  debt,  beside  much  other  work.  It  is  confidently  expected 
that  before  May  1,  1888,  the  church  will  rejoice  in  being  free 
from  debt,  exclusive  of  the  parsonage. 

Episcopal  Church. — The  first  service  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  was  conducted  by  Rev.  Samuel  B.  Babcock, 
rector  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Dedham,  in  Union  Hall,  near  the 
New  York  Central  Railroad  Depot,  Oct.  10,  1858,  at  one  of  the 
"  union  meetings  "  at  that  time  supported  by  adherents  of  all 
denominations.  After  a  while  the  Episcopalians  transferred 
their  place  of  meeting  to  Lyman  Hall,  near  the  Boston  & 
Providence  Railroad,  where  services  were  held  every  Sunday 
morning,  the  various  clergymen  officiating  being  furnished  and 
paid  by  the  Southern  District  Association.  When  there  was  no 
clergyman  forthcoming,  services  were  read  generally  by  Mr. 
Lyman.  A  Sunday  school,  which  soon  grew  to  a  membership 
of  sixty-five,  was  established,  mainly  through  the  exertions  of 
Rev.  John  W.  Nott,  who  was  at  that  time  passing  a  vacation  here. 
For  some  time  the  family  of  A.  H.  Brainard  constituted  the 
entire  number  of  communicants,  the  congregation  being  made 
up  of  those  who  only  had  a  preference  for  that  form  of  worship. 

The  present  parish  was  organized  Nov.  8,  i860,  under  the 
name  of  Christ  Church,  with  the  following  officers  :  Wardens, 
A.  H.  Brainard  and  G.  H.  Nott ;  Vestrymen,  L.  Bickford,  Jairus 
Pratt,  S.  Fennell  and  Wm.  H.  Hoogs ;  Treasurer,  S.  A.  Brad- 
bury ;  Clerk,  J.  M.  R.  Story.  Rev.  A.  H.  Washburn  took 
charge  of  the  parish  in  March,  1861,  was  elected  its  rector  in 
January,  1862,  and  so  continued  till  Easter,  April,  1866,  when 
he  became  rector  of  Grace  Church,  Cleveland,  Ohio.  During 
the  early  part  of  his  ministration  the  present  church  edifice  on 
the  corner  of  River  and  Maple  Streets  was  erected,  largely 
through  the  efforts  of  Gordon  H.  Nott.  This  building  is  of 
Gothic  style  of  architecture  and  has  about  three  hundred  sit- 
tings. While  it  was  in  process  of  construction  the  services 
were  held  in  Bragg's  Hall  on  Fairmount  Avenue.  The  building 
was  consecrated  December  1,  1863,  by  Right  Rev.  Manton 
Eastburn,  bishop  of  the  diocese,  assisted    by   several   other  di- 


35 

vines.  Mr.  Washburn's  connection  with  the  parish  was  of  great 
benefit  to  it,  and  hie  resignation  deeply  deplored.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded in  April,  1866,  by  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Collins,  a  faithful  and 
earnest  worker,  who  officiated  as  rector  till  October  r,  1869, 
the  date  his  resignation — which  was  made  on  the  21st  of  July 
preceding — took  effect.  He  was  succeeded  on  November  16 
following,  by  Rev.  John  W.  Birchmore,  who  remained  till  May 
15,  1872.  In  October,  1872,  Rev.  Robert  Scott  was  elected  to 
take  temporary  charge  of  the  parish,  and  on  the  fifth  of  Decem- 
ber following  was  unanimously  elected  rector,  and  continued  as 
such  till  Easter,  1874.  On  the  following  seventeenth  of  June 
the  Rev.  R.  B.  Van  Kleeck,  D.  D.,  accepted  a  unanimous  call  to 
the  rectorship.  He  was  a  man  well-known  and  highly  esteemed 
by  both  clergy  and  laity  in  all  parts  of  the  country.  He  re- 
signed his  charge  at  Easter,  1878.  From  January,  1879,  to 
July,  1 88c,  Rev.  F.  H.  T.  Horsfield  was  minister  in  charge. 
He  was  succeeded  on  November  15,  1880,  by  the  Rev.  Edward 
A.  Rand,  who,  with  unremitting  devotion  to  duty,  continued  as 
minister  in  charge  until  Whitsunday,  1882.  His  successor,  the 
Rev.  John  T.  Magrath,  commenced  his  labors  as  rector  on  the 
following  Sunday  (Trinity)  and  ended  them  on  Trinity  Sunday, 
1887.  In  September,  1887,  the  present  incumbent,  Rev. 
H.  L.  C.  Braddon,  succeeded  to  the  rectorship. 

First  Congregational  Church. —  Congregational  ser- 
vices were  first  held  in  Hyde  Park  in  December,  i860,  in 
Bragg's  Hall.  The  place  of  meeting  was  soon  changed  to 
Lyman  Hall,  where,  for  a  few  months,  the  services  were 
conducted  by  Rev.  L.  R.  Eastman,  afterwards,  with  only  occa- 
sional clerical  aid,  by  the  brethren,  until  Dec.  1,  1862,  when 
Rev.  Hiram  Carlton  commenced  ministerial  labors,  which  were 
continued  till  October,  1864.  On  May  7,  1863,  an  ecclesiastical 
council  organized  here  a  church  of  ten  members,  of  which 
Sylvester  Phelps  and  Thomas  Hammond  were  elected  deacons. 
Rev.  R.  Manning  Chipman  was  the  officiating  clergyman  from 
Dec.  1,  1864,  to  Nov.  30,  1866,  the  services  being  held  during 
this  time  in  Bragg's  Hall.  In  January,  1867,  the  church  and 
society    extended    a  call    to   Rev.    Perley    B.   Davis,   who   was 


then  settled  over  the  church  at  Sharon,  Mass.,  who  accepted, 
and  was  installed  April  ioth  following,  continuing  as  pastor  of 
the  society  to  this  day. 

Measures  were  now  taken  for  the  erection  of  a  parsonage 
and  church  edifice.  A  lot  of  land  at  the  junction  of  Fairmount 
Avenue  and  Everett  square,  extending  through  to  Oak  street, 
was  presented  to  the  society  by  the  Real  Estate  and  Building- 
Company,  and  a  parsonage  fronting  on  Oak  street,  and  costing 


FIRST   CONGREGATIONAL   CHURCH. 

about  five  thousand  dollars,  was  built,  and  occupied  by  the 
pastor  the  following  September.  On  Jan.  31,  1868,  the  corner- 
stone of  the  church  edifice  was  laid  with  appropriate  exercises, 
and  October  15th  following  the  church  was  publicly  dedicated 
to  the  worship  of  God,  the  pastor  preaching  the  sermon.  The 
building  is  a  Gothic  structure,  costing  seventeen  thousand 
dollars,  and  had  a  seating  capacity  of  four  hundred  and  sixty- 
two.     By  the  untiring  efforts  of  the  ladies  of  the  congregation 


37 

it  was  furnished  with  an  organ,  bell,  carpet,  and  cushions,  at  an 
expense  of  nearly  five  thousand  dollars.  For  the  better  accom- 
modation of  the  Sunday  school  and  social  meetings,  in  the 
autumn  of  1874  a  chapel  was  erected  adjoining  the  church, 
capable  of  seating  three  hundred  people.  This  was  built  by 
voluntary  subscription,  presented  to  the  society,  and  dedicated 
Jan.  1,  1875. 

On  Sunday,  Sept.  7,  1879,  by  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Edward 
Kimball,  the  debt  of  twelve  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  which 
had  rested  very  heavily  upon  the  society,  was  raised  by  pledges 
from  the  congregation,  and  in  December,  1880,  the  debt  was 
fully  paid.  April  16,  1880,  seven  members  were  dismissed 
from  the  church  to  form  a  nucleus  for  the  church  at  Clarendon 
Hills.  Owing  to  the  increase  in  numbers  of  the  congregation 
and  Sunday  school  during  the  two  years  ensuing,  it  was 
decided  to  enlarge  both  church  and  chapel,  at  a  cost  of  ten 
thousand  dollars,  and,  nearly  that  amount  having  been  pledged, 
work  was  begun  in  October,  1883.  The  church  was  so  remod- 
elled as  to  furnish  seven  hundred  and  sixty-nine  sittings,  includ- 
ing the  choir  seats.  The  chapel  was  made  thirty-five  feet 
longer,  a  portion  being  fitted  for  class-rooms  and  library.  The 
enlarged  church  was  re-dedicated  Feb.  26,  1884,  and  the  chapel 
the  next  evening. 

The  condition  of  the  church  is  very  prosperous,  it  having  a 
membership  of  five  hundred  and  thirty-one,  of  whom  forty-four 
were  received  during  the  last  year. 

Methodist-Episcopal  Church. — April  22,  1868,  found 
the  M.  E.  Church  in  Hyde  Park  a  struggling  society  of  fifty- 
three  members,  worshipping  in  a  small  hall  known  as  Bragg's 
Hall.  The  society  had  been  formed  on  Feb.  10th  of  the  pre- 
ceding year,  and  Messrs.  M.  L.  Whicher,  John  Terry,  and  C. 
D.  Hubbard  had  at  that  time  hired  the  hall,  furnished  it  with 
settees,  and  agreed  to  meet  all  deficiencies  of  the  first  year. 
This  was  cheerfully  done,  but  after  the  first  year  the  church  was 
self-supporting;  therefore,  April  22,  1868,  found  the  church 
small  but  self-supporting,  with  a  regular  pastor,  Rev.  N.  T. 
Whitaker.     Under  his  vigorous  charge  the  little  church  grew 


38 


so  that  in  1869  a  larger  place  of  worship  was  sorely  needed, 
and  Union  Hall,  just  vacated  by  the  Congregational  Society, 
was  secured.  In  the  same  year,  1869,  Mr.  Whitaker  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Geo.  Prentice,  who  ministered  faithfully  to 
the  young  church,  a  preacher  of  no  mean  ability,  but  who  was 
appointed  elsewhere  at  the  close  of  his  first  year.  His  departure 
was  deeply  regretted.     Mr.  Prentice  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  E. 


METHODIST-EPISCOPAL    CHURCH. 

S.  Best,  who  served  the  church  for  two  years,  1 870-1.  During 
Mr.  Best's  pastorate  the  church  continued  to  increase,  so  that 
still  larger  accommodations  were  found  necessary,  and  in  1871 
Neponset  Hall  was  occupied.  In  the  same  year,  1871,  the  pres- 
ent parsonage  on  Central  Avenue  was  built  and  occupied. 

In  1872,  Rev.  E.  A.  Manning  was  appointed  to  Hyde  Park. 
At  this  time  the  matter  of  building  a  new  church  was  vigorously 
agitated.     A  fine  building  location  had  previously  been  secured 


39 

on  Central  Avenue  ;  the  church  had  now  increased  to  consider- 
ably over  a  hundred  members,  the  town  was  rapidly  growing, 
and  all  signs  looked  propitious. 

Plans  were  obtained  of  Mr.  A.  P.  Cutting,  of  Worcester,  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  money  was  pledged,  and  the  step  was 
definitely  decided  upon. 

In  April,  1873,  Rev.  G.  W.  Mansfield  was  welcomed  by  the 
church  as  its  pastor,  and  within  sixty  days  contracts  were  let  out 
for  a  fine  modern  church  edifice. 

Ground  was  broken  on  June  2,  1873,  the  first  sod  being 
turned  by  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Warren,  the  pioneer  Methodist  of 
Hyde  Park.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  under  the  north-east 
corner,  Oct.  28,  1873,  Bishop  Wiley  officiating.  The  vestries 
were  dedicated  on  watch-night,  Dec.  31,  1873,  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Pierce,  editor  of  Zioii  s  Herald.  It  was  an  occasion  long  to  be 
remembered  by  those  present.  The  ensuing  months  were  a 
time  of  special  religious  interest,  and  under  the  successful  min- 
istrations of  Mr.  Mansfield  a  large  number  were  added  to  the 
church.  The  auditorium  was  completed  and  dedicated  Nov.  19, 
1874  ;  Rev.  H.  W.  Warren,  D.  D.,  of  Brooklyn,  (now  bishop) 
preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon. 

The  cost  of  the  church  was  about  $45,000.  Mr.  Mansfield 
remained  with  the  church  for  the  full  term  of  three  years,  and 
was  followed  in  1876  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Whedon. 

The  long  period  of  financial  depression  which  followed  the 
completion  of  the  church  was  most  deeply  felt  by  this  society, 
and  the  debt,  always  large,  grew  to  enormous  proportions.  The 
tremendous  strain  under  which  the  church  was  laboring  led  to 
some  unfortunate  misunderstandings  between  pastor  and  official 
board,  and  Mr.  Whedon's  brilliant,  but  short,  career  culminated 
in  his  resignation  in  1877. 

Rev.  Dr.  H.  J.  Fox,  of  South  Carolina,  was  appointed  to  fill 
the  vacancy,  and  ably  occupied  the  pulpit  for  two  years, 
1877-78. 

It  was  apparent  at  the  commencement  of  his  pastorate  that 
the  debt  must  be  reduced  if  the  church  property  was  to  be  kept. 

The  debt  in  July,  1877,  as  given  by  the  trustees,  was  S4 1,500, 
and  during  Dr.  Fox's   administration  it  was   reduced  to  531,000 


40 

by  various  agencies  and  means,  two  concerts  in  Music  Hall, 
Boston,  netting  $1,600. 

Dr.  Fox  was  succeeded  in  1879  by  R-ev-  W.  N.  Richardson, 
who  was  the  pastor  for  the  next  three  years.  During  his  term 
the  church  was  freed  from  debt.  This  was  mostly  done  in  the 
third  year  of  Mr.  Richardson's  pastorate,  and  largely  through 
his  personal  efforts.  A  church  debt-raising  society  was  formed, 
of  which  Mr.  Charles  Woodbury  was  president,  and  Mr.  George 
B.  Warren  treasurer. 

The  mortgage  of  $21,000  on  the  church  was  taken  up  April 
1,  1882,  at  the  very  close  of  Mr.  Richardson's  term  of  ministry. 
He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Jesse  Wagner,  who  for  three  years 
was  the  successful  and  greatly  loved  pastor.  During  the  three 
years'  term  of  Mr.  Wagner,  repairs  and  improvements  to  the 
amount  of  $2,000  were  made  to  the  church  property,  all  paid 
when  done. 

Mr.  Wagner  was  followed  in  1885  by  Rev.  Frederick  Woods, 
D.  D.,  formerly  the  pastor  of  Trinity  M.  E.  Church,  Springfield, 
Mass.  Dr.  Woods  is  an  original  thinker,  a  pulpit  orator 
of  extraordinary  ability,  and  a  most  vigorous  advocate  of  all 
modern  reform  movements.  He  now  closes  (April,  1888)  his 
full  term  of  three  years,  and  it  is  apparent  that  the  church  and 
congregation  will  greatly  miss  his  talented  services. 

Mr.  W.  T.  Worth,  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  has  just  been  appointed. 

First  Unitarian  Society  of  Hyde  Park.  — This 
society  was  among  the  last  to  organize  as  a  separate  denomina- 
tion. In  consequence  of  action  taken  at  a  preliminary  meeting 
held  in  the  old  Fairmount  schoolhouse  June  1,  1867,  at  which 
John  P.  Jewett  was  chairman,  and  Benjamin  C.  Vose  secretary, 
regular  services  were,  during  the  summer  of  this  year,  held  in 
the  old  Music  Hall  on  Sunday  afternoons,  prominent  Unitarian 
clergymen  of  Boston  and  vicinity  occupying  the  pulpit.  In 
November  of  the  same  year  the  society  moved  to  Deacon 
Hammond's  Hall,  near  the  New  York  &  New  England  Railroad 
Station,  and  engaged  as  pastor  the  Rev.  T.  B.  Forbush,  who 
remained  until  the  following  March.  In  June,  1868,  the  society 
organized  as  a  corporation  under  the  general  laws,  and  adopted 


41 

as  a  name  "  The  Christian  Fraternity."  The  following  year 
the  name  was  changed  to  that  of  The  Second  Congregational 
Society  of  Hyde  Park,  and  this  name  was  in  May,  1880, 
superseded  by  the  present  title. 

In  June,  1868,  Rev.  William  Hamilton  was  invited  to  become 
the  regular  preacher,  and  he  remained  with  the  society  nearly  a 
year ;  services  being  held  in  Hamblin's  Hall.  In  February, 
1869,  Rev.  Francis  C.  Williams  was  installed  as  pastor. 
During  his  pastorate,  which  continued  until  June,  1879,  tne 
society  had  a  varied  experience,  particularly  in  its  places  of 
worship.     Meeting  in  the   Town   Hall  for  about  a  year,  they 


FIRST    UNITARIAN    CHURCH. 


thence  went  to  Neponset  Hall,  where  they  remained  till  its 
destruction  by  fire,  in  the  early  part  of  1874.  Their  church 
building  was  then  in  process  of  construction,  and  until  its 
completion,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year,  they  were  kindly 
accommodated  by  the  Methodist  Society,  which  tendered  the 
use  of  its  vestry.  The  Unitarian  Church  Building  was  dedi- 
cated February  18,  1875,  and  in  it  their  services  have  since 
been  held.  It  occupies  a  sightly  and  pleasant  position  at  the 
junction  of  Oak  and  Pine  Streets  on  Mount  Neponset,  and 
presents  to  the  eye  a  neat,  attractive,  and  agreeable  appearance. 
It  is  of  the  Romanesque  style  of  architecture,  and  is  con- 
structed in  a  very  substantial  manner,  the  material  being  wood. 


42 

The  audience-room,  exclusive  of  the  vestibule,  is  sixty-seven  by 
thirty-seven  feet,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  a  little  more  than 
three  hundred.  The  finish  of  the  pulpit  and  its  surroundings 
is  of  black  walnut ;  of  the  pews  black  walnut  and  ash.  It  is 
well  lighted  with  stained  glass  windows  of  agreeable  tone, 
giving  a  restful  and  pleasing  effect.  In  the  vestry  is  a  good- 
sized  audience-room  for  the  Sunday  school  ;  a  commodious  and 
well-stocked  library,  also  a  ladies'  parlor,  dining-room,  kitchen, 
etc.  The  land  with  the  building  and  furnishings  cost  about 
$18,000,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  comparatively  small 
amount,  had  been  paid  by  the  time  the  church  was  ready  for 
occupancy,  —  a  result  that  was  attained  only  bv  zealous  and 
persistent  effort  and  large  self-sacrifice  on  the  part  of  many  of 
the  early  members  of  the  society.    • 

During  his  stay,  Mr.  Williams'  influence  on  the  church  and 
the  town  was  marked  and  beneficial.  His  successor  was  Rev. 
A.  Judson  Rich,  who  was  invited  in  November,  1879,  installed 
the  next  January,  and  remained  four  years.  It  was  during  his 
pastorate  that  the  old-time  enthusiasm  of  the  members  of  the 
society  and  the  ladies  of  the  parish  was  again  invoked,  resulting 
in  wiping  out  the  balance  of  the  debt  upon  the  church  and  in 
the  purchase  of  an  organ  for  the  choir. 

In  June,  1884,  Rev.  James  Huxtable  was  called  to  the 
pastorate,  and  is  now,  April,  1888,  ministering  to  the  society. 
A  man  of  unbounded  modesty,  he  is  an  earnest  student,  a  deep 
thinker,  and  has  a  fund  of  spirituality  that  has  already  made  its 
impress  upon  those  under  his  charge. 

Union  Evangelical  Church  is  located  at  Readville 
and  was  organized  April  26,  1872.  Has  been  supplied  by 
Rev.  William  F.  Davis  and  Rev.  J.  B.  Davis.  It  has  no  settled 
pastor  at  present.  Starting  with  five  members,  it  now  numbers 
twenty-three. 

Clarendon  Congregational  Church  was  organized 
April  19,  1880,  with  twenty  members.  Rev.  Samuel  D. 
Hosmer  was  the  first  pastor  and  continued  until  April,  1882. 
He  was  succeeded  in  September,  1882,  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Johnson, 


43 

who  still  continues  in  charge  of  this  church.     Its  present  mem- 
bership is  forty-one. 

Roman  Catholic  Church. —  Prior  to  April  22,  1868, 
the  Catholic  settlers  in  Hyde  Park  were  attended  by  the  pastor 
of  Milton,  Rev.  Father  McNulty.  On  the  first  Sunday  of 
October,  1S70,  the  parish  was  made  a  separate  one.  Part  of 
the  parish  was  taken  from  that  of  Dedham,  and  part  from 
Dorchester.  The  first  resident  Catholic  pastor  was  Rev.  W.  J. 
Corcoran.  When  he  assumed  charge,  the  parish  numbered 
about  2,200  souls.  The  births  during  his  first  year  were  83,  as 
indicated  by  the  baptismal  records.  Father  Corcoran  built  a 
frame  church  on  Hyde  Park  Avenue,  which  was  burnt  before 
completion.  He  also  purchased  the  Richards  estate  on  Mt. 
Neponset.  Previous  to  holding  services  in  the  basement  of  the 
church  which  was  destroyed,  and  after  the  burning  of  same,  ser- 
vices were  held  in  the  old  Music  Hall,  now  the  property  of  Dr. 
Soule.  Father  Corcoran  remained  in  this  parish  for  several 
years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  James  S.  Conlan.  The 
Catholic  population  was  smaller  in  1880  than  in  1870.  In  1870 
there  were  83  children  baptized,  in  1880  only  63.  The  number 
of  Catholics  in  1870  was  about  2,200;  in  1880  about  1,700. 
Since  1880  the  parish  has  grown,  and  it  now  numbers  about 
2,700.  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  Richard  J.  Barry,  was  ap- 
pointed by  Archbishop  Williams,  Feb.  1,  1880.  He  set  to 
work  at  once  to  place  the  society  on  a  permanent  basis,  and 
within  two  months  after  his  arrival  he  began  the  elegant  church 
which  is  such  an  ornament  to  the  town.  The  corner  stone  of 
this  splendid  edifice  was  laid  July  4,  1880,  and  the  church  was 
dedicated  Sept.  12,  1885.  Interiorly  and  exteriorly  it  is  a  sub- 
stantial and  magnificent  temple.  The  cost  was  $85,500.00.  In 
[884  Father  Barry  purchased  the  Gerry  estate,  which  gives 
the  Catholic  Society  over  two  acres  of  land  in  the  very  heart  of 
the  town.  Money  has  been  lavished  in  laying  out  the  grounds, 
and  no  society  in  Hyde  Park  or  elsewhere  can  show  greater 
enterprise  and  perseverance.  A  new  parochial  school  has  been 
built  on  Mt.  Neponset,  which  will  accommodate  360  children. 
Two  primary  parochial  schools   will  be   erected   in   the   sprin°\ 


44 

This  society  has  laid  out  over  $140,000  during  the  last  eight 
years,  and  the  total  indebtedness  to  date  is  only  $21,000. 
Nothing  in  the  history  of  Hyde  Park  shows  better  the  substan- 
tial growth  of  the  town  than  the  facts  above  recorded. 

Last  year  there  were  101  children  baptized  into  the  Catholic 
Church,  out  of  a  total  of  233  children  born  in  the  town  during 
the  year.  The  Catholic  population  is  between  2,700  and  2,800 
persons.  The  Sunday  school  numbers  400,  Mr.  D.  A.  Leonard, 
superintendent. 

The  society  is  in  a  most  flourishing  condition  and  is  about  to 
be  incorporated,  its  pastor  still  being  Rev.  Richard  J.  Barry, 
assisted  by  Rev.  Henry  A.  Barry. 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  —  In  the  fall 
of  1868  an  attempt  was  made  to  establish  a  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association,  Charles  F.  Gerry  being  elected  presi- 
dent, E.  E.  Blake  and  A.  R.  Whittier,  vice-presidents,  H.  P. 
Hubbard,  secretary,  and  J.  Boag,  treasurer,  and  although 
accomplishing  some  good,  and  preparing  the  soil  for  future 
planting,  the  time  had  not  yet  come  when  the  grain  should 
spring  up  and  bear  abundant  harvest.  This  was  reserved  for 
another  force  of  workers,  and  on  the  evening  of  December  18, 
1884,  a  meeting  of  those  interested  in  forming  such  an  associa- 
tion was  held  in  a  class  room  of  the  Baptist  Church.  A  com- 
mittee, of  which  C.  L.  Alden  was  chairman,  and  J.  Mackrille, 
secretary,  was  appointed  to  consider  the  advisability  of  forming 
an  association,  and  to  see  what  encouragement  would  be  given 
to  such  a  movement.  This  committee  reported  Feb  2,  1885,  at 
which  time  they  stated  that  in  their  opinion  there  was  sufficient 
encouragement  to  proceed.  Accordingly,  it  was  voted  that  an 
organization  be  effected  at  that  time.  Accommodations  were 
secured  in  Neponset  Block,  consisting  of  reading-room,  office, 
and  parlor,  and  were  occupied  about  the  middle  of  March,  at 
which  time  the  reading-room  was  thrown  open  each  evening, 
being  well  supplied  with  secular  and  religious  papers,  and 
periodicals.  The  second  Sunday  in  March,  meetings  for  young 
men  only  were  organized  and  have  been  continued  until  the 
present   time.     The    parlor  was  furnished  with   folding  chairs 


45 

and  piano.  It  was  not  long  before  the  rooms  proved  too  small 
for  the  work,  and  an  urgent  call  for  a  gymnasium  was  manifest. 
But  there  seemed  to  be  no  way  for  thus  enlarging  the  work. 
In  May,  1886,  an  opportunity  presented  itself  in  the  skating 
rink  being  closed,  and  changing  hands.  It  was  finally  decided 
to  lease  this  building,  having  it  fitted  for  their  use,  and  when 
completed  it  gave  very  pleasant  quarters,  consisting  of  parlor, 
reading-room,  office,  coat  room,  kitchen,  hall,  and  gymnasium. 
The  Association  removed  to  its  new  location  during  October 
of  that  year.  Here  at  once  the  work  began  to  enlarge,  and  the 
membership  rapidly  increased.  It  soon  became  evident  that 
volunteer  labor  could  not  longer  be  relied  upon  to  give  the 
time  necessary  for  such  a  large  work  ;  so  at  the  annual  meet- 
ing the  present  board  of  officers  was  elected,  and  instructed  to 
employ  a  general  secretary,  who  could  put  his  whole  time  into 
the  work,  and  allow  the  building  to  be  opened  all  day,  instead 
of  evenings  only,  as  heretofore.  Since  the  coming  of  Mr.  E. 
A.  Pierce  to  fill  that  position,  the  work  has  continued  to  in- 
crease, and  to-day  the  association  stands  as  one  of  the  perma- 
nent institutions  of  our  town,  with  its  work  and  needs  well  be- 
fore our  citizens.  It  is  hoped  that  it  will  continue  to  grow,  and 
before  we  celebrate  our  quarter  centennial  that  it  will  be  located, 
not  in  a  leased  building,  but  in  a  permanent  home  of  its  own. 

The  Ladies'  Auxiliary  was  organized  early  in  the  life  of 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  It  is  not  an  indepen- 
dent body,  but  is  in  all  respects  auxiliary  to  the  association,  and 
labors  wholly  for  its  benefit.  While  the  association  occupied 
the  rooms  in  Neponset  Block,  the  ladies  purchased  the  carpet 
and  table.  Later,  as  they  came  to  the  new  building  (their  pres- 
ent quarters),  the  ladies  raised  funds  and  furnished  the  parlor  as 
it  now  appears.  From  time  to  time  they  have  been  called  upon 
to  provide  and  serve  light  refreshments  at  various  gatherings, 
and  are  now  pledged  to  furnish  $400  toward  the  expenses  for 
the  present  year. 

Schools.  — The  town  of  Hyde   Park  was  fortunate  in  that, 
at  its  organization,  it  had  among  its  citizens   men    who  fully  ap- 


46 

predated  the  importance  of  a  good  school  system.  After  a 
lapse  of  twenty  years  we  have  now  cause  to  congratulate  our- 
selves that  some  of  these  citizens  were  placed  in  charge  of  the 
public  schools. 

Many  difficulties  were  to  be  met  and  overcome.  Accommo- 
dations were  to  be  provided,  looking  to  the  future  growth  of  the 
infant  town.  A  course  of  study  was  to  be  marked  out,  which 
should  meet  the  wants  of  the  children,  and  command  the  re- 
spect of  the  citizens.  A  liberal  public  sentiment  was  to  be  cre- 
ated toward  the  schools  that  their  support  might  be  certain 
and  a  progressive  policy  made  possible.  The  transient  char- 
acter of  the  population  during  the  early  years  of  our  history 
made  these  duties  still  more  arduous,  but  nevertheless  a  senti- 
ment favoring  a  liberal  support  of  the  public  school  has  pre- 
vailed. 

It  has  been  the  object  from  the  beginning  to  make  the 
schools  practical.  New  theories  have  been  carefully  studied 
before  being  adopted,  and  whatever  has  seemed  to  detract  from 
practical  results  has  usually  been  rejected.  Efforts  have  been 
continuous  to  hold  the  interest  of  parents  in  the  school  work  of 
the  children,  and,  as  a  rule,  these  have  been  successful. 

The  course  in  the  Grammar  Schools  is  so  adapted  that  it 
requires  eight  years  for  its  completion.  At  its  completion 
diplomas  are  awarded.  This  course  fairly  fits  pupils  for  the 
ordinary  work  of  life.  Much  credit  for  the  present  efficiency 
of  these  schools  is  due  to  our  good  fortune  in  being  able  to 
retain  for  the  past  ten  years  or  more  Masters  Dean,  Cross, 
Howard,  and  Thompson,  all  able  teachers,  and  fully  devoted  to 
the  welfare  of  the  schools  of  the  town. 

The  High  School  has  two  courses  —  a  classical,  or  four 
years'  course,  and  a  business,  or  two  years'  course.  The  first 
fits  the  student  for  college,  while  the  second  is  designed  to 
supplement  the  Grammar  School  course  in  giving  a  better  busi- 
ness training.  Prof.  Elliot  has  been  in  charge  of  this  school 
for  about  ten  years,  and  has  so  conducted  it  that  it  now  has  a 
firm  hold  in  the  confidence  of  the  citizens. 

The  four  large  Grammar  School  buildings,  (one  of  which,  the 
Greenwood,  having  been  destroyed  by  fire,  August  14,  1887,  has 


47 

been  rebuilt  in  a  still  more  substantial  and  improved  manner, 
and  was  dedicated  April  5,  1888,)  and  a  commodious  High 
School  building,  all  well  supplied  with  books  and  other  things 
necessary  for  the  complete  working  of  the  course,  bear  witness 
that  the  cause  of  education  has  held  and  still  holds  a  warm 
place  in  the  hearts  of  our  citizens.  It  is  safe  to  affirm  that  the 
town  is  largely  indebted  for  its  present  prosperous  condition  to 
the  generous  support  at  all  times  given  to  its  public  schools. 

Fire  Department. — At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Selectmen,  held  Sept.  13,  1870,  the  following  named  gentle- 
men were  appointed  Fire  Engineers  for  the  ensuing  year  :  Geo. 
B.  Parrott,   chief ;  Enoch  P.  Davis  ;  Fergus  A.  Easton,  clerk. 

A  call  was  made  on  the  citizens  for  members  at  this  date. 
Nov.  7,  1870,  Hose  Company  No.  3  was  organized,  and  elected 
the  following  officers  :  L.  T.  Sears,  foreman  ;  G.  S.  Cheney, 
assistant  foreman  ;  M.   Underhill,  clerk. 

Nov.  9  Steam  Fire  Engine  Company  No.  1  was  organized, 
with  the  following  elected  officers  :  H.  A.  Darling,  foreman  ; 
W.  H.  Cooper,  assistant  foreman  ;  T.  A.  Davin,  clerk.  At  the 
same  meeting  Wm.  U.  Fairbairn  was  appointed  as  engineman 
of  Steam  Fire  Engine  Company  No.  i,  G.  Hodges  as  the 
assistant,  and  Joshua  Wilder  as  steward  of  the  Engine  House. 

Apr.  13,  1 87 1,  Hose  Company  No.  3  was  relieved  from  hose 
duty,  the  members  to  take  charge  of  Steamer  No.  2,  and  David 
H.  Wright  appointed  as  engineman. 

The  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  No.  1  was  formed  in  the 
year  of  1870. 

In  the  year  of  1881  a  Chemical  Engine  was  added  to  the  de- 
partment. 

The   present  Board  of  Engineers  are  :    Chief,  Rinaldo   Wil 
liams  ;  clerk,  Robert  Scott,  Jr.  ;  and  J.  H.  McKenna.     The  de- 
partment to-day  numbers  40  members,  including  the  three  engi- 
neers and  steward,  Joshua  Wilder,  who  has   held   this  position 
ever  since  his  appointment  on  Nov.  9,  1870. 

The  apparatus  belonging  to  the  department  comprises  Hose 
Companies  Numbers  1,  2,  and  3,  Hook  and  Ladder  Company 
No.  1,  and  Chemical  Engine  Company  No.  1. 


48 

Societies. — Hyde  Park  is  richly  blessed  with  secret  benevo- 
lent societies,  prominent  among  which  are  the  Masonic  bodies 
and  orders  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  brief  sketches  are  here 
appended. 

Masonic  Organizations. — Before  the  incorporation  of 
the  town  of  Hyde  Park,  the  establishment  of  a  lodge  was  con- 
sidered desirable  by  the  Masons  resident  within  its  present 
territorial  limits.  A  dispensation  was,  therefore,  procured  from 
the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  in  response  to  a  petition 
bearing  twenty-one  signatures. 

Preliminary  meetings  had  been  held  at  various  places  in  Ded- 
ham  and  Hyde  Park,  and  the  first  regular  communication  of 
Hyde  Park  Lodge  was  called  Feb.  15,  1866,  at  a  small  hall  on 
Fairmount  Avenue,  since  occupied  by  the  Advent  Society. 
Here  the  lodge  held  its  meetings  until  the  following  winter, 
when  a  hall  was  leased  and  fitted  up  in  the  Music  Hall  building, 
corner  of  River  Street  and  Hyde  Park  Avenue.  The  same  was 
dedicated,  and  Hyde  Park  Lodge  was  constituted ,  by  Grand 
Master  Charles  C.  Dame  and  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
Dec.  21,  1866.  The  charter  members  were 'fifteen  in  number. 
In  September,  1869,  the  fraternity  again  folded  their  tents,  and 
occupied  apartments  in  the  third  story  of  the  Gordon  Hall  build- 
ing, corner  of  River  Street  and  Gordon  Avenue.  The  building 
was  purchased  by  the  town  the  following  year,  and  used  and 
known  as  the  Town  Hall  until  its  destruction  by  fire,  March  8, 


1; 


\V 


During  this  period  of  nearly  fourteen  years  a  Chapter,  Coun- 
cil, and  Commandery  were  organized,  and  the  history  of  each 
of  the  several  bodies  was  one  of  uninterrupted  prosperity.  By 
the  fire  the  fraternity  were  suddenly  ejected  from  the  pleasant 
rooms  which  had  so  long  been  their  home,  and  suffered  a  total 
loss  of  all  their  furniture  and  paraphernalia.  By  special  author- 
ity from  the  Grand  Master  the  meetings  of  Hyde  Park  Lodge 
were  held  for  three  months  in  the  hall  of  Constellation  Lodge, 
of  Dedham,  and  more  recently  in  Neponset  Hall,  until  the  com- 
pletion of  spacious  and  convenient  apartments  in  the  new 
Masonic  building  on   River  Street.      The  new  halls  were  occu- 


49 

pied  by  the  lodge  on  the  fifteenth  of  February,  1884,  and  are 
admirably  arranged  for  Masonic  purposes.  The  furniture  in- 
cludes a  fine  organ,  built  by  Messrs.  Hook  &  Hastings. 

The  lodge  has  now  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  members, 
and  includes  many  of  the  leading  business  men  and  officers  of 
the  town.  Among  the  names  which  have  appeared  on  its 
roll  of  membership  are  those  of  two  venerable  Masons,  James 
Downing  and  Timothy  Phelps,  each  of  whom  had  served  the 
old  Constellation  Lodge,  of  Dedham,  as  Worshipful  Master. 
Mr.  Downing  was  made  a  Mason  in  1819;  Mr.  Phelps  in   1821. 

Its  first  chaplain  was  Rev.  Alvan  H.  Washburn,  D.  D.,  who  at 
the  time  was  rector  of  Christ  Church.  He  was  a  man  of  prom- 
inence in  the  church,  and  his  untimely  death,  Dec.  29,  1876,  in 
a  railroad  disaster  at  Ashtabula,  Ohio,  sent  a  thrill  of  sorrow 
through  the  hearts  of  many  who  had  known  and  loved  him. 

Hyde  Park  Lodge  has  a  charity  fund  of  good  proportions, 
and  its  philanthropic  work  has  been  constant  and  effective. 
One  of  its  pleasant  social  features  has  been  an  annual  entertain- 
ment on  Washington's  Birthday  for  the  benefit  of  the  wives 
and  families  of  its  members. 

Xorfolk  Royal  Arch  Chapter  commenced  its  existence  May 
18,  1870,  under  a  dispensation  from  the  Grand  High  Priest, 
Henry  Chickering.  The  chapter  was  duly  consecrated  and 
constituted  May  24,  1871.  One  member  is  a  permanent  mem- 
ber of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Massachusetts,  Henry  S.  Bunton, 
who  was  elected  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  in  1883. 

Hyde  Park  Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters  was  organ- 
ized under  a  dispensation  from  Charles  H.  Morris,  Most 
Illustrious  Grand  Master,  dated  Oct.  1,  1872,  and  was  chartered 
and  constituted  Oct.  6,  1873. 

Cyprus  Commandery  of  Knights  Templars  and  the  appendant 
orders^  was  organized  under  dispensation  from  Nicholas  Van 
Slyck,  Grand  Commander,  Oct.  31,  1873. 

The  name  was  given  in  allusion  to  the  island  of  Cyprus, 
which  was  the  first  asylum  of  the  Knights  of  St.  John  of 
Jerusalem  after  their  expulsion  from  the  Holy  Land. 

Cyprus  Commandery  was  constituted  and  dedicated  Oct.  12, 
1X74,  by  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Massachusetts  and   Rhode 


50 

Island,  on  which  occasion  Rev.  George  S.  Noyes  delivered  an 
historical  address. 

Independent   Order    of   Odd    Fellows.  —  On    the 

twentieth  of  February,  1869,  Levi  F.  Warren,  Grand  Master, 
assisted  by  the  Board  of  Grand  Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
I.  O.  O.  F.  of  Massachusetts,  instituted  Forest  Lodge,  No.  148, 
I.  O.  O.  F.  The  ceremony  of  institution  took  place  in  Masonic 
Hall,  which  at  that  time  was  over  the  store  now  occupied  by 
Putnam  &  Worden  as  a  grocery  store.  For  the  first  ten  years 
of  its  existence,  with  an  average  membership  of  about  fifty,  the 
lodge  continued  to  carry  on  the  work  and  promulgate  the 
principles  of  Odd  Fellowship,  but  met  with  no  success  in 
acquiring  members.  During  that  period  the  lodge  held  its 
meetings  in  Bragg's  Hall,  in  Masonic  Hall,  over  what  was  then 
Gordon  Hall,  and  finally  in  Pythian  Hall,  which  is  the  one  now 
occupied  by  them,  and  known  as  Odd  Fellows  Hall. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1879,  under  the  guidance 
and  through  the  efforts  of  D.  D.  G.  M.  Samuel  Cochran,  Odd 
Fellowship  in  Hyde  Park  made  a  decided  move  toward  its 
present  prosperous  condition,  and  to-day  the  lodge  numbers 
181  members,  and  has  a  fund  of  some  $4,500.  During  its 
existence  the  lodge  has  lost  three  of  its  charter  members  by 
death  and  four  from  other  causes,  so  that  but  two,  David 
Perkins  and  John  R.  Thompson,  remain.  The  lodge  has  also 
lost,  eleven  of  its  active  members  by  death.  It  has  disbursed 
to  the  dependent  relatives  of  its  deceased  members,  and  to 
members  and  their  families,  sick  or  in  distress,  upwards  of 
$5,000.  Its  sick  members  are  now  paid  five  dollars  per  week 
for  thirteen  weeks,  and  two  dollars  per  week  for  the  remainder 
of  the  year,  and  each  succeeding  year  the  same,  should  sickness 
continue.  The  lodge  furnishes  watchers  for  the  members  in 
case  of  sickness,  pays  to  the  dependent  relatives  in  case  of 
death  seventy-five  dollars,  and  is  considered  by  the  members 
thereof,  one  of  the  most,  if  not  the  most  benevolent  organiza- 
tion existing  in  Hyde  Park  to-day. 

Monterey  Encampment,  No.  60.     A  charter   was   granted  to 
fourteen     Odd    Fellows,    who     became    charter    members    of 


Monterey  Encampment,  No.  60,  I.  O.  O.  F.  This  Encamp- 
ment was  instituted  on  Feb.  25,  1887,  by  Francis  E.  Merriman, 
Grand  Patriarch,  and  board  of  officers  of  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  Mass.  It  is  allied  to  and  assists  the  lodge  in  carry- 
ing out  the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship.  Besides  the  charter 
members,  eighty-six  more  were  admitted  on  the  evening  of  in- 
stitution, making  one  hundred  members  in  all,  which  has  been 
increased  by  ten  since  that  time.  The  Encampment  is  in  a 
prosperous  condition,  both  financially  and  numerically,  and  is 
considered  a  success. 

Progressive  Degree  Lodge,  No.  34,  Daughters  of  Rebekah. 
The  order  has  always  been  esteemed  as  a  valuable  auxiliary  to 
the  work  of  Odd  Fellowship ;  consisting  as  it  does  exclusively 
of  Odd  Fellows  and  their  wives  and  daughters.  Woman's 
work,  or  capabilities  for  certain  work,  excel  in  various  forms 
those  of  men,  and  the  world  wide  characteristics  of  this  great 
order  call  forth  in  a  marked  degree  the  tender  and  practical 
sympathies  of  woman.  The  fatherhood  of  God  and  the 
brotherhood  of  man  is  instinctively  more  in  the  nature  of  the 
one  than  in  the  other. 

The  remaining  societies  and  organizations  will  be  found  in  the 
succeeding  pages,  so  far  as  it  has  been  able  to  obtain  any  data 
in  regard  to  them.  In  many  cases  it  has  been  found  necessary 
to  abridge  the  reports,  but  it  is  proposed  to  put  the  original 
manuscripts  on  file  in  the  library  of  the  Historical  Society. 

Industries. — The  following  is  a  brief  summary  of  some  of 
the  industries  of  Hyde  Park  :  — 

R.  Bleakie  6c  Co.'s  Woolkn-mills.  —  This  industry  grew 
out  of  what  was  originally  the  Hyde  Park  Woolen  Co.,  organ- 
ized and  incorporated  in  1862.  It  was  erected  as  a  twelve-set 
mill,  for  the  production  of  army  goods,  blankets,  and  flannels. 
The  first  blanket  was  woven  July  13,  1863,  by  John  Bleakie, 
father  of  two  of  the  present  owners.  So  successful  was  the 
mill  that  its  capacity  was  increased  to  twenty-one  sets  of  cards, 
employing  about  four  hundred  operatives. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  June  9,  1N73,  the  mills  took  fire,  and 
all  but  the  bare  walls  of  the  main   building,  and    the   chimney, 


52 

was  destroyed,  involving  a  loss  of  some  four  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  The  work  of  rebuilding  was  at  once  commenced,  but 
on  account  of  the  financial  panic  and  the  depression  in  the 
woolen  business  further  operations  were  discontinued.  In  the 
fall  of  1878,  work  was  again  resumed,  since  which  time  the 
mill  has  been  running  to  its  full  capacity,  employing  at  the 
present  time  about  350  operatives. 

Cotton-mill  at  Readville.  —  This  is  one  of  the  oldest 
manufacturing  plants  in  the  State.  A  portion  of  the  present 
wooden  building  was  erected  in  18 14.  It  has  been  constantly 
in  operation  since  that  time,  except  for  a  period  of  about  three 
years  during  the  Civil  War. 

It  was  carried  on  under  the  name  of  the  Dedham  Manufac- 
turing Co.  up  to  1867,  then  under  the  name  of  the  Smithfield 
Manufacturing  Co.  up  to  April  24,  1879,  when  it  was  acquired  by 
Messrs.  B.  B.  &  R.  Knight,  the  present  owners.  The  mill  has 
been  greatly  enlarged  at  various  times  since  1864.  In  its  early 
days,  thirteen  hours  in  summer  and  eleven  in  winter  constituted 
a  working  day  for  its  employees,  and  it  produced  prints  as  well 
as  sheetings  ;  now  its  product  is  confined  to  the  latter,  and  it 
furnishes  employment  for  some  350  operatives.  The  late  James 
Downing  of  this  town  was  connected  with  this  mill  for  forty-eight 
years.     Readville  takes  its  name  from  Mr.  Read,  a  former  owner. 

Brainard  Milling  Machine  Co. —  This  company  was  or- 
ganized and  incorporated  in  1871.  Its  first  board  of  officers  were 
Thomas  Wigglesworth,  President ;  Henry  Pickering,  Treasurer  ; 
Amos  H.  Brainard,  General  Supt.  and  Manager.  It  had  an  es- 
tablished business  at  the  start,  having  succeeded  the  Union 
Vise  Co.  of  Boston,  which  began  business  with  one  man,  Mr. 
A.  H.  Brainard. 

There  were  six  members  at  the  time  of  organization;  the 
capital  stock  being  $35,000,  and  about  forty  men  employed. 
The  products  of  the  first  year  were  valued  at  about  $40,000. 
The  capital  stock  remains  unchanged  ;  about  70  men  employed  ; 
and  the  value  of  the  products  about  $80,000  yearly.  The  com- 
pany has  the  same  board  of  officers  as  at  the  time  of  organiza- 
tion.    The  works  are  situated  on  Business  Street. 


53 

Paper  Mills. — Tileston  &  Hollingsworth,  owners.  This  in- 
dustry was  established  in  1801,  by  the  ancestors  of  the  gentle- 
men under  whom  it  is  now  carried  on.  An  interesting  account 
of  the  original  building  is  given  in  Clark's  History  of  Dorches- 
ter, published  in  1859.  They  employ  at  the  present  time  about 
seventy-five  people,  and  the  value  of  their  products  in  1886  was 
$255,000.     The  capital  employed  in  the  business  is  S225,ooo. 

Boston  Hlower  Company.  —  This  business  was  organized 
May  1,  1877,  and  incorporated  June  1,  1880,  in  Boston,  under  the 
laws  of  this  State,with  a  capital  of  $20,000,  employing  then  about 
five  men.  Its  first  board  of  officers  were  W.  S.  Eaton,  Jr.,  Presi- 
dent ;  Francis  Parsons,  Treasurer ;  and  the  same  two  with  W.  S. 
Eaton,  Directors.  The  works  were  removed  to  Hyde  Park  in 
the  summer  of  1883,  and  established  at  their  present  location, 
corner  of  Glen  wood  Avenue  and  Business  Street,  where  they 
employ  from  eighty  to  ninety  hands.  The  capital  stock  is  now 
$60,000,  and  the  present  board  of  officers,  W.  S.  Eaton,  Jr., 
President  and  Treasurer  ;  E.  E.  Gillette,  Secretary  ;  the  same 
two,  with  W.  S.  Eaton,  Directors  ;  James  McKay,  Supt. 

Machinery  Manufacturers,  John  T.  Robinson  &  Co  (J. 
R.  Fairbanks).  — This  firm  makes  a  specialty  of  the  manufac- 
ture of"  Paper  Box  Machinery,"  and  employs  from  thirty-five  to 
forty  men.  Their  business  was  started  in  1874,  on  West  River 
Street,  near  B.  &  P.  R.  R.  bridge  ;  but  the  firm  have  recently 
erected  and  entered  into  occupancy  of  a  neat  brick  shop,  located 
at  the  southerly  junction  of  West  River  and  Business  Street. 
The  building  adds  to  the  attraction  of  that  part  of  the  town. 

John  John-ton's  Carriage  Manufactory.  —  This  busi- 
ness was  begun  by  Mr.  Johnston  in  1866.  in  a  small  way,  but 
one  workman  being  then  employed  ;  the  product  of  the  busi- 
ness the  first  year  being  about  $1,500.  At  the  present  time, 
an  average  of  fifteen  men  are  employed,  and  the  annual  value 
of  the  products  about  $20,000.  The  place  of  business  has 
always  been  at  its  present  site  on  West  River  Street,  near 
Boston  &  Providence  Railroad  bridge. 

R.  L.  Frami  ton's  Morocco  Works  — Mr.  Frampton  be- 
gun this  business  in  Boston    in    1870,    on    a    capital  of    about 


54 

$4,ooo.  His  factory  there  being  burned  in  1885,  ne  then 
transferred  his  business  to  its  present  location  in  Hyde  Park. 
At  that  time  forty-five  men  were  employed,  which  number  is 
now  increased  to  fifty.  The  capital  now  employed  in  the  busi- 
ness is  $25,000,  and  the  value  of  its  products,  $125,000. 

Hood  &  Reynolds,  Dental  Manufactory. —  This  industry 
originally  had  its  works  in  Boston,  but  in  July,  1884,  removed 
them  to  their  present  site  in  Hyde  Park,  still  retaining  their  head- 
quarters in  Boston.  The  capital  stock  employed  in  Hyde  Park 
branch  for  then  and  now  being  $5,000.  Number  of  hands  em- 
ployed, twelve.  Total  value  of  products  for  1885  and  1887,  $12,000 
each.     These  figures  are  for  business  done  at  Hyde  Park  alone. 

Clement  B.  Tower  &  Co.,  Plymouth  Rock  Gelatine.  — 
This  is  a  new  enterprise,  having  begun  business  in  January  of 
the  present  year,  employing  one  man. 

The  Hyde  Park  Water  Co.  was  organized  and  incorpo- 
rated in  1884,  the  board  of  officers  at  the  time  of  organization 
and  at  the  present  time  being  as  follows  : — Directors  ;  Robert 
Bleakie,  President  ;  Benj.  F.  Radford,  Wm.  J.  Stuart,  Waldo  F. 
Ward,  Andrew  Washburn,  John  S.  Bleakie,  David  Perkins  ; 
Clerk  and  Treasurer,  C.  F.  Allen  ;  Superintendent,  Albert  S. 
Adams.  The  company  has  22.35  miles  of  mains,  the  number 
of  water  takers  at  the  present  time  being  1,005. 

The  Hyde  Park  Savings  Bank  was  organized  April  20, 
1 87 1,  and  incorporated  March  8,  1871.  The  first  board  of 
officers  were  as  follows  : — Charles  F.  Gerry,  President  ;  Henry 
S.  Bunton,  Treasurer ;  Board  of  Investment ;  Charles  F.  Gerry, 
Martin  L.  Whitcher,  Benj.  F.  Leach,  Ezra  G.  Perkins,  Henry 
Blasdale. 

The  following  named  have  been  presiding  officers  : — Charles 
F.  Gerry,  Henry  Grew,  Isaac  J.  Brown,  Robert  Bleakie.  Pres- 
ent board  of  officers  :  Robert  Bleakie,  President  ;  Henry  S. 
Bunton,  Treasurer ;  Board  of  Investment;  Robt.  Bleakie,  Wm. 
J.  Stuart,  David  Perkins,  Benj.  F.  Radford,  Sidney  C.  Putman. 
The  amount  of  deposits  received  during  first  year,  $i5,593-29> 
deposits  received  during  last  year,  $139,913.52;  amount  of 
deposits  at  the  present  time,  $232,207.94. 


55 

The  bank  was  opened  for  the  reception  of  deposits  in  the 
selectmen's  room,  town  hall,  June  17,  1871. 

On  the  first  of  September  following,  rooms  were  occupied  in 
Neponset  Block,  where  the  business  of  the  bank  was  transacted 
until  that  building  was  destroyed  by  fire,  May  5,  1874.  Tem- 
porary quarters  were  then  provided  in  the  town  offices,  Everett 
Block.  The  Bank  Building  was  erected  in  1875,  and  the  rooms 
in  the  same,  which  are  now  used,  were  leased  from  and  after 
Jan.  1,  1876. 

The  bank  shared  in  the  embarrassments  to  which  the  major- 
ity  of    Massachusetts    savings    banks    were    subjected,   as    the 


GREW    SCHOOL. 


(From  photograph  by  W.   H.   Barritt.  > 

result  of  protracted  business  stagnation  and  depression.  For 
two  years,  in  common  with  many  others,  it  was  placed  by  the 
State  Commissioners  under  the  restrictions  of  the  "  Stay  Law." 
By  this  means  one  of  our  most  useful  local  institutions  was 
preserved,  although  at  the  date  of  resumption,  June  15,  1880, 
the  amount  of  the  deposits  had  dwindled  to  about  thirty  thou- 
sand dollars.  Since  that  time,  under  wise  and  conservative 
management,  the  Hyde  Park  Savings  Bank  has  prospered,  and 
has  received  a  full  measure  of  the  confidence  and  patronag 
the  citizens  of  the  town. 


56 

The  Hyde  Park  Co-operative  Bank  was  organized  March 
17,  1886  ;  receiving  its  charter  March  26,  1886,  the  bank  began 
business  May  5,  1886.  Amount  of  authorized  capital,  $1,000,000. 
First  board  of  officers  being  as  follows  :  — 

Andrew  Washburn,  President  ;  Robert  W.  Karnan,  Vice- 
President  ;  John  Mackrille,- Treasurer;  Thomas  E.  Faunce,  Secre- 
tary ;  Charles  F.  Jenney,  Attorney ;  also  a  board  of  directors 
and  three  auditors. 

First  annual  report :  — 

Number  of  members,  81  ;  shares,  397;  capital,  $3,756;  loans 
on  real  estate  $3,400. 

Present  board  of  officers  : — Andrew  Washburn,  President  ; 
Richard  M.  Johnson,  Vice-President;  Thomas  E.  Faunce,  Secre- 
tary and  Treasurer. 

Members  at  the  present  time,  148;  capital,  Si  1,384.87; 
loans  on  real  estate,  $9,550.00. 

Hyde  Park  Associates.  —  This  is  a  private  association 
organized  Jan.  1,  1887,  having  for  its  object  both  pecuniary  and 
social  purposes.  Its  members  are  assessed  regularly  each 
month,  and  the  proceeds  thereof  invested  in  real  estate  in  Hyde 
Park,  with  a  view  to  the  benefit  of  the  town  as  well  as  the 
members. 

Hyde  Park  Band. —  The  Hyde  Park  Band  was  organized 
July  4,  1869,  under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  H.  G.  O.  Sears,  hold- 
ing its  first  meetings  in  the  small  hall  of  Hamblin's  Block,  on 
Walnut  Street.  Their  place  of  meeting  has  been  changed  from 
time  to  time,  now  occupying  rooms  in  Plummer's  building  on 
Central  Park  Avenue.  The  band  has  had  numerous  leaders, 
among  whom  may  be  mentioned  Messrs.  E.  S.  Churchill, 
Charles  H.  Blair,  and  Henry  F.  Arnold,  the  latter  being  the 
present  leader.  Of  the  organizers  Wm.  U.  Fairbairn,  Benjamin 
E.  Phillips,  and  Henry  F.  Arnold  are  the  only  ones  now 
resident  in  Hyde  Park. 

Norfolk  County  Gazette,  Samuel  R.  Moseley,  editor. — On 
Feb.  26,  1870,  the  Dedham  Gazette,  established  in  Dedham  in 
18 1 3,  and  the  Hyde  Park  Journal,  established  in  Hyde  Park  in 
1868,    were    united    under   the    name    of    the    Xorfolk    County 


57 

Gazette,  Hildreth  &  Getchell,  editors,  and  the  place  of  publica- 
tion fixed  at  Hyde  Park.  A  few  years  later  Mr.  Hildreth  re- 
tired, and  Getchell  and  Moseley  carried  on  the  paper  until  Jan. 
13,  1877,  when  Mr.  Getchell  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Moseley,  the 
present  editor  and  proprietor. 

It  is  the  oldest  paper  in  the  country,  and  has  numbered 
among  its  contributors  many  of  the  most  eminent  men  in  this 
section  of  the  State. 

Hyde  Park  Times,  H.  L.  Johnson,  editor.  —  This  paper 
issued  its  first  number  June  9,  1883,  with  E.  S.  Hathaway, 
editor.  It  soon  passed  into  the  hands  of  Hunt  &  Chamber- 
lain, and  again  into  those  of  Herbert  E.  Hunt.  Subsequently 
Asa  W.  Chamberlain  edited  the  paper  for  a  short  time.  In  the 
fall  of  1886,  J.  S.  Browning  purchased  the  paper.  In  July, 
1887,  tne  paper  again  changed  hands,  being  purchased  by  H. 
L.  Johnson,  under  whose  management  it  still  remains.  It  is  at 
present  quartered  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Building. 

Reveille.  —  This  paper  is  published  to  promote  the  cause 
of  temperance.  The  first  series  was  issued  January,  1887. 
Second  series,  December,  1887.  R.  C.  Habberley,  editor  and 
publisher. 

Association  Review.  — This  paper  was  started  for  the  pur- 
pose of  helping  the  work  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  and  keeping  be- 
fore the  public  and  the  members  the  work  being  done  and 
what  they  desire  to  do.  First  publication,  Dec.  1,  1887.  W. 
F.  Mitchell,  business  manager  ;   E.  A.  Pierce,  editor. 

Among  the  other  industries  and  manufactories  may  be  men- 
tioned, American  Tool  and  Machine  Company  ;  Glover  &  Wil- 
comb's  curled  hair  factory  ;  John  Scott,  wool  scouring  ; 
Kenyon's  chemical  works  ;  Readville  Rubber  Company  ;  R. 
H.  Gray  &  Co.,  shoddy  ;  S.  Z.  Leslie  &  Co.'s  Novelty  Wood 
Works  ;  J.  N.  Bullard,  grist  mill  ;  People's  Ice  Co.,  C.  E. 
Davenport  &  Co.,  and  John  W.  Smith,  ice  cutters  and  dealers  ; 
C.  L.  Farnsworth's  bakery  ;  Isaac  Bullard's  pianoforte  manu- 
factory, and  others,  concerning  which  particulars  have  not  been 
received  in  time  for  this  publication. 


58 

As  has  been  previously  mentioned,  about  two  hundred  acres, 
or  one-fourteenth  of  the  area  of  the  town,  is  embraced  in  streets  ; 
of  these  some  twenty-five  miles  of  highways  have  been  accepted 
and  are  under  the  care  and  supervision  of  the  surveyors  ;  the 
remainder  are  private  ways.  No  street  less  than  forty  feet  in 
width  is  accepted. 

In  1884  the  selectmen  began  the  system  of  grading  the 
streets,  and  laying  sidewalks,  and  for  the  past  two  years  the  sum 
of  $20,000  each  year  has  been  appropriated  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  forward  permanent  improvements.  During  the  past 
winter,  after  a  long  and  trying  contest,  the  town  has  been  pro- 
vided with  seventy-five  electric  lights,  with  a  good  prospect 
of  soon  increasing  this  number  to  one  hundred.  The  subject  of 
horse-railroads  is  just  now  agitating  the  public  mind,  there  be- 
ing petitions  from  two  companies  awaiting  the  action  of  our 
town  officers. 

Thanks  to  the  Centennial-tree  planting,  our  avenues  are  be- 
ginning to  be  well  shaded  by  thrifty  forest  trees.  They  are  for 
the  most  part  thickly  studded  with  residences,  which,  being  of 
so  recent  construction,  are  all  of  modern  style,  are  kept  in  re- 
markably good  repair,  and  present  a  very  attractive  appearance. 
They  are  the  homes  of  hundreds  whose  daily  avocations  are  pur- 
sued in  the  adjacent  city  of  Boston. 

The  two  lines  of  railway,  furnishing  in  the  aggregate  forty- 
five  trains  each  way,  to  and  from  the  city,  provide  every  facility 
for  this  manner  of  living,  and  being  through  lines,  the  conven- 
ience of  access  to  any  desired  point  is  unsurpassed.  The  ama- 
teur culture  of  pears  and  grapes  is  almost  universal,  and  quite 
successful. 

The  principal  other  buildings  of  a  q?/asi-pub\ic  character  are 
the  Bank  Building,  owned  by  A.  H.  Holvvay ;  Neponset  Block, 
owned  by  I.  J.  Brown,  both  on  Everett  Square  ;  Masonic  Hall 
Block,  owned  by  J.  S.  Conant,  and  Everett  Block,  owned  by  the 
East  Boston  Savings  Bank,  both  on  River  Street,  the  latter  now 
containing  the  town  offices.  Oct.  29,  1868,  the  Everett  House, 
a  pretty  and  comfortable  building,  standing  on  the  corner  of  the 
square,  was  opened  to  the  public  as  a  hotel.  During  the 
twelve  years  it  was  kept  open  it  served  as  the  temporary  home 


59 

of  many  families  now  domiciled  in  homes  of  their  own  in  the 
town,  and  the  recollections  of  their  sojourn  there  are  doubtless 
fraught  with  pleasant  memories.  The  Willard  House,  on 
Gordon  Avenue,  was  first  opened  Jan.  22,  1873.  It  is  now 
called  the  Lincoln  House,  and  about  two  years  ago  was  remod- 
elled and  let  in  apartments. 

We  have  purposely  avoided  the  ungrateful  task  of  selecting 
from  among  our  contemporaries  names  of  citizens  for  special 
mention  or  honor.  Where  particular  reference  has  been  made 
to  individuals,  it  has  been  in  consequence  of  their  connection 
with  events  which  fell  within  the  scope  of  this  sketch. 

Hyde  Park  contains  at  least  its  fair  proportion  of  men  and 
women  whose  abilities  and  achievements  will  leave  an  indelible 
mark  after  them,  but  it  will  devolve  upon  some  future  historian 
to  commemorate  them. 

Hyde  Park  has  now  passed  through  the  somewhat  boisterous, 
turbulent,  and  doubtful  period  of  adolescence,  and  stands  upon 
the  threshold  of  a  long  life  of  promise  and  vigor.  Favored  in 
its  location,  strong  in  its  resources,  proud  of  its  institutions  ami 
its  people,  it  looks  to  the  future  with  hope  and  confidence. 


6o 


THE    HERMIT    AT    WORK  —  INTERIOR    VIEW    OF    HIS    HUT. 
(Cut  loaned  by  Mr.  S.  R.  Moseley.) 

James  Gatly,  the  Hermit  of  Hyde  Park,  was  born  in 
Cheshire,  England,  in  1810,  of  reported  wealthy  parents;  in 
early  life  he  developed  a  great  liking  for  the  study  of  ornithol- 
ogy, and  became  a  skilful  taxidermist.  He  finally  decided  to 
come  to  America,  much  against  the  wishes  of  all  friends,  and 
after  various  trying  experiences,  finally  settled  in  Grew's  Woods, 
where  he  built  a  hut  and  spent  his  time  in  preparing  a  large 
collection  of  birds,  beasts,  and  reptiles.  He  died  February  2, 
1875,  sixty-five  years  of  age,  and  his  collection  was  sold  to  many 
local  and  distant  purchasers. 


TOWN    STATISTICS. 


First  Board  ok  Town  Officers  in  1S68.  —  Selectmen  and  Surveyors  of 
Highways,  Overseers  of  Poor  and  Assessors — Henry  Grew,  Zenas  Allen,  Wil- 
liam J.  Stuart,  Martin  L.  Whitcher,  Benjamin  F.  Radford;  Town  Clerk  —  Charles 
W.  Turner  ;  Treasurer  —  Henry  S.  Adams;  Auditors —  Henry  C.  Adams,  Enoch 
P.  Davis,  Cotton  C.  Bradbury;  School  Committee  —  Perley  B.  Davis,  N.  T. 
Whittaker,  Amos  Webster,  W.  H.  S.  Ventres,  W.  H.  Collins,  William  A.  Bullard  ; 
Collector — H.  A.  Rich;  Constables — Henry  C.  Adams,  S.  S.  Bunker,  Henry 
A.  Rich,  Nathaniel  Ilibbard,  James  L.  Vialle  ;  Pound  Keeper — Henry  A.  Rich  ; 
Field  Drivers '—John  Bennet,  Geo.  W.  Noyes,  Chas.  E.  Bunker;  Fire  Wards  — 
Fergus  A.  Easton,  Geo.  B.  Parrott,  Enoch  P.  Davis. 

Board  of  Town  Officers  for  18S7. —  Selectmen  and  Surveyors  of  High- 
ways—  James  D.  McAvoy,  D.  \V.  C.  Rogers,  Melville  P.  Morrell  ;  Assessors  — 
George  Sanford,  Henry  F.  Arnold,  George  W.  Chapman;  Board  of  Health  — 
George  F.  Downes,  Willard  O.  Hurd,  Edward  H.  Baxier;  Overseers  of  the 
Poor — Joel  F.  Goodwin,  John  Terry,  Charles  Lewis;  Town  Clerk  —  Henry 
1>.  Terry;  Town  Treasurer  —  Henry  S.  Bunton  ;  Collector  —  George  Sanford; 
School  Committee — Charles  G.  Chick,  Andrew  Washburn,  Edmund  Davis,  James 
E.  Cotter,  Benjamin  C.  Vose,  George  M.  Fellows;  Sinking  Fund  Commiss 
—  Henry  Blasdale,  William  J.  Stuart,  Henrv  Grew;  Auditors  —  Asa  J.  Adams, 
Wallace  D.  Lovell,  John  H.  Russell;  Trustees  of  the  Public  Library — David 
C.  Marr,  G.  Fred  Gridley,  Henry  B.  Miner,  Charles  F.  Jenney,  Charles  C.  Hayes, 
Edmund  Davis,  Amos  II .  Brainard,  Galen  L.  Stone,  Frank  B.  Rich  ;  Constables  — 
George  Sanford,  William  F.  Curtis,  Charles  E.  Jenney,  Charles  Jacobs,  Patrick  J. 
Donlan,  Benjamin  Fogg,  Cyrus  Gorman,  Daniel  O'Connell,  John  R.  Bond  ;  Sealer 
of  Weights  and  Measures  —  David  M.  Hodsdon  ;  Fire  Department — Rinaldo 
Williams,  Robert  Scott,  Jr.,  John  H.  McKenna. 

Selectmen  and  Surveyors  of  Highways  from  186S  to  1S88.  —  Henry  Grew, 
William  J.  Stuart,  Benjamin  F.  Radford,  Zenas  Allen,  Martin  1..  Whitcher,  David 
L.  Davis,  Alpheus  P.  lilake,  Geo.  E.  Sherman,  Rinaldo  Williams,  J.  Ellerv  Piper, 
Gamaliel  Hodges,  E.G.  Perkins,  J.  D.  McAvoy,  Nathaniel  Shepard,  L.J.  Bird, 
Francis  B  iyd,  Edwin  R.  Walker,  George  Sanford,  Charles  I,.  Farnsworth,  Amos 
II.  Brainard,  D.  W.  ('.  Rogers,  David  Perkins,  Charles  II.  Colby,  Stephen  P. 
Balkan),  Henry  C.  Stark,  Waldo  F.  Ward,  Samuel  Cochrane,  Isaac  Bullard,  John 
II.  Tuckerman,  Hobart  M.  Cable,  M.  P.  Morrell. 

School  Committee  from  (868  to   t888. —  Rev.  Perley  B.  Davis,  Rev.  N.  T. 

Whittaker,  Rev.  W.  II.  S.  Ventres,  Rev.  W.  H.  Collins,  Rev.  \mos  Webster, 
William  A.  Milliard,  Benjamin  C.  Vose,  W.  S.  Everett,  M.  I  >.,  II.  R.  Chenev,  (  ».  T. 
Cray,  M.  1,.  Whittaker,  W.  II.  11.  Andrews,  Tohn  D.  Sherman,  Richard  L.  Cay, 
Theodore  D.  Weld,  Hobart  M.  Cable,  Rev.  Robert  Scott,  R.  W.  Ilusted,  Rev. 
William  J.  Cochran,  E.  M.  Lancaster,  Waldo  F.  Ward,  II.  C.  Chamberlain,  Rev. 
Francis  C.  Williams,  Andrew  Washburn,  Edmund  Davis,  Henrv  Hyde  Smith, 
Charles  G.  Chick,  E.  I.  Humphrey,  Henrv  S.  Bunton,  Edwin  R.  Walker,  Ceorge 
M.  Fellows,  R.  M.  Johnson,  Rev.  John  T.  Magrath,  James  E.  Cotter. 

Trustees  of  Public  Library  from  187^  ro  1888.  —  C.  W.  w.  Wellington, 
W.J.Cochran,   F.  S.  Hathaway,    Francis  C.  Williams,  E.    M.   Lancaster,  Gordon 


62 


H.  Nott,  P.  B.  Davis,  T.  D.  Weld,  I.  H.  Gilbert,  E.  C.  Aldrich,  Hamilton  A.  Hill, 
Sylvanus  Cobb,  Jr.,  C.  C.  Hayes,  G.  Fred  Gridley,  Edmund  Davis,'  Amos  H. 
Brainard,  Henry  B.  Miner,  Hobart  M.  Cable,  Charles  F.  Jenney,  Galen  L.  Stone, 
David  C.  Marr,  Frank  B.  Rich. 

Town  Clerks  from  1868  to  1888.  — Charles  W.  Turner  (one  year),  Henry  C. 
Adams  (one  year),   Henry  B.  Terry  (18  years). 

Treasurers  from  1868  to  1888.  —  Henry  S.  Adams  (5  years),  David  D.  Rand- 
lett  and  E.  S.  Hathaway  (one  year),  B.  C.  Vose  (one  year),  Henry  S.  Bunton  (13 
years). 

Collectors  from  1868  to  1888.  —  Henry  A.  Rich  (9  years),  Joseph  B 
Quimby  (5  years),  George  Sanford  (6  years). 

Representatives  to  General  Court  from  1S77  to  1888.  —  Charles  F. 
Gerry,  William  J.  Stuart,  Hobart  M.  Cable,  Samuel  R.  Mosely,  Charles  F.  Jenney, 
Ferdinand  A.  Wyman. 

Vote  "on  License  "  in  the  town  of  Hyde  Park  since  the  present  "License 
Law  "  went  into  effect,  from  18S2  to  1888. 


Year. 

Yes.                No.              Total. 

Year. 

Yes. 

No. 

Total. 

1882 
1883 
1884 

315 
279 
308 

269 
518 
520 

584 
794 
828 

1885 
1886 
1887 

298                540 
171                358 
234                584 

S38 

529 
818 

STATISTICS    FOR    THE    FIRST    TWENTY    YEARS     OF 
CORPORATE    EXISTENCE. 


.2 
« 

0 
0, 

Valuation. 

% 

a 

0   v 

M5 

Births. 

Deaths. 

> 

1 

in 

5 

0 

§ 

§ 

2 

0 
H 

1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1882 
1883 
1884 
1865 
1886 
1887 

4.136 

5.006 

6,158 
6,750 
6,054 
6,316 

5,862 

5,879 
5,867 

6,475 
6,915 
7>3ii 
7,584 
8,047 
8,192 
S,3.2 
8,463 
8,919 

$2,913,657.00 
3,7i4.478.oo 
4,857,214.00 
5,955,925-0° 
7»329,527-°° 
7,509>8i  500 
7,069, 323  00 
6,942,284.00 
6,545>767-oo 
5,707,632.00 
4,674,871.00 
4,180,106  00 
4,123,490.00 
4,378,1 16.00 
4-597.77I-00 
4,855,402.00 
5,059,61300 
5,202,085.00 
5,627,688.00 
5,969,004.00 

460 
544 
805 

1,087 
1,121 
1,160 
1,184 
1,189 
•,194 
1,198 
1,198 
1,203 
1,204 
1,220 
1,240 
1,296 

1,327 
1,468 
1,512 

6.5 
820 
970 

1, "54 
i,344 
1.392 
1,302 
i,436 
i,358 
i,392 
1,252 
i,524 
1,527 
1,628 
1,569 
',775 
',857 
1,800 
1,896 
1,876 

45 
46 
87 
102 
94 
93 
84 
106 
78 
87 
93 
87 
79 
113 
114 
102 
104 
in 
84 

•25 

6, 

45 
87 
no 
114 

91 
60 
96 
86 
79 
So 
90 
99 
107 
92 
S3 
92 
100 
>'3 
10S 

1 06 
9' 
■74 
212 
208 
184 
,44 
202 
164 
166 

173 
177 
178 
220 
206 
190 
196 
211 
197 
233 

20 
35 
45 
57 
53 
69 
50 
60 
39 
44 
34 
59 
59 
62 
62 
70 
73 
69 
86 
96 

'7 
26 
43 
52 
55 
81 
54 
63 
61 

47 
44 
52 
44 
67 
59 
71 
49 
68 
64 
65 

13 
31 
34 
43 
53 
51 
76 
72 
76 
41 
41 
59 
63 
65 
59 
72 
61 
63 
81 
78 

30 
57 
77 
95 
108 
132 
•30 
136 
"37 
88 
S5 
11 1 
107 
'32 
118 
143 
no 

131 
145 
143 

Totals, 

1,834 

1  ',798 

3,632 

1,142 

1,082 

1, '32 

2,215 

Area  of  the  Town. —Area  in   1868,  2,800  acres  ;  area  in   1887,  taking  out 
highways  and  non-assessable  property,  2,406  acres. 


ORGANIZATIONS. 


FIRST    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

First  Baptist  Church. —  Organized  Sept.  23,  185S.  First  officers  —  L.  B.  Hana- 
ford,  Clerk;  George  Pierce,  Treas. ;  L.  B.  Hanaford,  Franklin  Stone,  David 
Higgins,  Com.  Present  officers  —  Rev.  H.  W.  Tilden,  Pastor;  O.  P.  Home,  C. 
II.  Tucker,  F.  H.  Dean,  David  Bentley,  A.  MacGregor,  Deacons  ;  A.  MacGregor, 
Clerk;  O.  P.  Home,  Treas.;  Pastors  —  Revs.  G.  R.  Darrow,  C.  A.  Skinner,  W.  II. 
S.  Ventres,  I.  H.  Gilbert,  D.  C.  Eddy,  D.  D.,  Gorham  Easterbrook,  H.  W.  Tilden. 
Number  of  members  April  22,  186S,  123;  present  membership,  36S.  Amount 
contributed  for  missions  186S-87,  $2,575. 

Society  of  the  First  Baptist  Church.  —  Organized  Oct.  18,  1861.  Incorporated 
Oct.  29,  1861.  First  officers  —  L.  B.  Hanaford,  Geo.  W.  Noyes,  Benj.  J.  Bartlett, 
Ex.  Com.;  Amos  Webster,  Treas.;  Chas.  F.  Gerry,  Clerk.  Present  officers  — 
Chas.  H.  Tucker,  Ira  Stockwell,  John  W.  Jigger,  Wm.  H.  Barritt,  A.  MacGregor, 
Ex.  Com.;  G.  Walter  Bass,  Treas.;  Frank  H.  Wheeler,  Clerk. 

Sunday  School.—  Organized  Sept.  26,  1858.  First  officers  —  J".  M.  Williams, 
Supt.;  H.  G.  Smith,  Asst.  Supt.;  L.  B.  Hanaford,  Sec.  and  Treas.;  James  Lawson, 
Lib.  Present  officers—  Ira  Stockwell,  Supt;  John  W.  Jigger,  Asst.  Supt.;  Irving 
C.  Webster,  Sec. ;  Chas.  H.  Tucker,  Treas. ;  Wm.  H.  Home,  Lib. ;  Past  Super- 
intendents—J.  M.  Williams,  L.  B.  Hanaford,  C.  F.  Gerry,  T.  C.  Evans,  B.  Sears, 
T.  H.  Videto,  B.  II.  Brooks,  Ira  Stockwell.  Number  of  members  at  organization, 
25  ;  present  membership,  41 1. 

Ladies''  Social  Circle. —  Organized  May  20,  1859.  First  officers  —  Mrs.  Franklin 
Stone,  Pres.  ;  Mrs.  Geo.  Pierce,  V.-Pres. ;  Mrs.  Elmon  Benton,  Sec.  Present 
officers  —  Mrs.  H.  W.  Tilden,  Pres.;  Mrs.  David  Bentley,  V.-Pres.;  Miss  J.  M. 
Stone,  Sec.  and  Treas. ;  Mrs.  Frank  Holbrook,  Asst.  Sec.  and  Treas.  Past  Presi- 
dents— Mrs.  Franklin  Stone,  Mrs.  Amos  Webster,  Mrs.  Albert  Snow,  Mrs.  W.  I  > 
Mitchell,  Mrs.  M.  H.  Howes,  Mrs.  H.  H.  Gould,  Mrs.  J.  F.  Goodwin,  Mrs.  E.  D. 
Swallow,  Mrs.  B.  H.  Brooks.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  15;  present 
membership,  50. 

Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society. —  Organized  Dec.  27,  187 1.  First  officers 
—  Mrs.  I.  H.  Gilbert,  Pres.;  Mrs.  O.  A.  Smith,  V.-Pres.;  Mrs.  E.  M.  Lancaster, 
Sec.  and  Treas.  Present  officers  —  Mrs.  A.  Webster,  Pres.;  Mrs.  O.  P.  Home, 
V.-Pres.;  Mrs.  D.  Bentley,  Sec.  and  Treas.  Number  of  members  at  organization, 
14;  present  membership,  30.     Amount  of  missionary  contributions,  $465.08. 

Branch  of  the  Woman 's  American  Baptist  Home  Missionary  Society. — Organized 
Nov.  21,  1882.  First  officers— Mrs.  S.  R.  II.  Giles,  Pres.;  Mrs.  M.  L.  Gould, 
V.-Pres.;  Mrs.  F.  H.  Dean,  Sec.  and  Treas.  Present  officers  —  Mrs.  S.  R.  II. 
Giles,  Pres,;  Mrs.  M.  L.  Gould,  V.-Pres.;  Mrs.  A.  MacGregor,  Sec.  and  Treas. 
Number  of  members  at  organization,  17  ;  present  membership,  3S.  Total  mis- 
sionary contributions,  $212. 

Cheerful  Workers. — Organized  November,  1878.  First  officers  —  Mrs.  Amos 
Webster,  Pres.;  Miss  Abbie  Wiggin,  V.-Pres.;  Miss  Florence  Webster,  Sec; 
Miss  Grace  Home,  Treas.  Present  officers  —  Miss  S.  L.  Miner,  Pres.;  Miss  Nellie 
Brown,  V.-Pres.;  Miss  Susie  Waldron,  Sec;  Miss  Annie  Guy,  Treas.  Past 
Presidents  —  Mrs.  Webster,  Mrs.  E.  M.  Lancaster,  Miss  Elma  Stone.  Number 
of  members  at  organization,  8  ;  present  membership,  32.  Total  missionary  con- 
tributions, $2C0. 

63 


64 

Young  People's  Social  Union. — Organized,  Feb.  18,  1885.  First  officers  —  C.  H. 
Tucker,    Pres.  ;    Irving    Webster,  V.-Pres. ;    Emma   Colby,  Sec;    W.   L.  Adams, 

Treas.     Present   officers:    Wm.    Home,  Pres.;  Glover,    V.-Pres.;    Gertrude 

Draper,    Sec.  ;  Lillie   Gould,  Treas.     Number  of   members   at  organization,    31  ; 
present  membership,  48. 

EPISCOPAL    CHURCH. 

Parish  of  Christ  Church,  Episcopal. — Organized  Nov.  8,  i860.  First  officers  — 
Amos  H.  Brainard,  Gordon  H.  Nott,  Wardens  ;  Levi  Bickford,  Jairus  Pratt, 
Samuel  Fennel!,  W.  H.  Hoogs,  Vestrymen;  Samuel  A.  Bradbury,  Treas. ;  J.  M. 
R.  Story,  Clerk.  Present  officers  —  Samuel  N.  Piper,  Samuel  A.  Foster, 
Wardens  ;  R.  H.  Vivian,  A.  J.  Adams,  George  L.  Ridley,  James  B.  Bird,  M.  W. 
Brown.  Vestrymen;  A.J.  Adams,  Treas.;  George  L.  Ridley,  Clerk.  Rectors  — 
Revs.  A.  H.  Washburn,  Wm.  H.  Collins,  J.  W.  Birchmore,  Robt.  Scott,  R.  B. 
Van  Kleeck,  D.  D.,  F.  H.  T.  Horsfield,  E.  A.  Rand,  J.  T.  Magrath,  H.  L.  C. 
Braddon.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  64  ;  present  membership,  135. 
Contributions  to  missions,  186S  to  1SS7  inclusive,  $2,691.94. 

Sunday  School.  —  Present  officers  —  Rev.  H.  L.  C.  Braddon,  Rector  ;  Thos. 
Wilson,  Supt. ;  Walter  P.  Piper,  Lib.;  Robert  C.  Sears,  Asst.  Lib.;  George  L. 
Ridley,  Or.  and  Treas.    Membership  in  1S6S,  107  ;  present  membership,  127. 

St.  Andrew's  Brotherhood.  —  Organized  March  19,  18S7.  First  officers  —  Rev.  J. 
T.  Magrath,  Pres. ;  Chas.  P.  Foote,  V.-Pres.;  H.  B.  Humphrey,  Sec.  ;  Maybin  W. 
Brown,  Treas.  Present  officers  —  Rev.  H.  L.  C.  Braddon,  Pres.  ;  Samuel  A.  Fos- 
ster,  V.-Pres.  ;  H.  B.  Humphrey,  Sec.  ;  Maybin  W.  Brown,  Treas.  Number  of 
members  at  organization,  11  ;  present  membership,  41. 

St.  Margaret's  Chapter.  —  Organized  Sept.  29,  18S7.  Officers  —  Rev.  H.  L.  C. 
Braddon,  Pres.  ;  Marion  Brainard,  1st  V.-Pres. ;  Mrs.  H.  L.  C.  Braddon,  2d 
V.-Pres. ;  Fannie  Bird,  Sec.  ;  Mrs.  G.  L.  Ridlev,  Treas.  Number  of  members  at 
organization,  25  ;  present  membership,  24.  The  object  of  this  society  is  the 
charge  of  the  interior  of  the  church,  care  of  the  altar  linen,  furnishings,  etc.,  and 
any  other  work  which  the   rector  may  suggest  or  approve. 

FIRST    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 

First  Congregational  Church.  — Organized  May  7,  1S63.  First  officers  —  Sylves- 
ter Phelps,  Thomas  Hammond,  Deacons  ;  Enoch  E.  Blake,  Clerk.  Present  offi- 
cers—  Rev.  P.  B.  Davis,  Pastor;  Enoch  E.  Blake,  J.  Ellery  Piper,  Edward  W. 
Cross,  Henry  D.  Noyes,  Joseph  D.  Ellis,  Frederick  D.  Freeman,  Deacons  ;  Dr. 
Chas.  Sturtevant,  Clerk  ;  E.  S.  Hathaway,  S.  S.  Supt.  Rev.  Perley  B.  Davis  has 
been  the  only  pastor.  Number  of  members  April  22,  1S6S,  64  ;  present  member- 
ship, 531. 

Hyde  Park  Congregational  Society.  —  Incorporated  (under  general  laws)  Nov.  7, 
1865.  First  officers — Thomas  W.  Barrel!,  Clerk;  E.  E.  Blake,  Treas.;  Dr.  Horatio 
Leseur,  Thomas  Hammond,  Henrv  S.  Adams,  D.  J.  Goss,  and  J.  L.  Butman,  Pru. 
Com.  Present  officers  —  Dr.  I.  K.  Knight,  Clerk;  Fred.  N.  Tirrell,  Treas.; 
Chas.  P.  Vaughan,  Col.  ;  L.  B.  Bidwell,  H.  D.  Noyes,  E.  S.  Hathaway,  A.  C. 
Kollock,  and  Thomas  Chamberlam,  Pru.  Com.  Assets  at  organization  o,  at  present 
time,  $29,500  net. 

Sunaay  School.  —  Organized  March  27,  1861.  First  Supt.  Besture  B.  Haskell. 
Present  officers — E.  S.  Hathaway,  Supt.  ;  J.  D.  Ellis,  C.  F.  Fiske,  Asst.  Supts. ; 
C.  F.  Holt,  Sec.  and  Treas. ;  Joseph  Willett,  Aud.;  E.  J.  Ellis,  R.  J.  Ellis,  C.  P. 
Vaughan,  C.  B.  Tower,  Libs.  Past  Superintendents — B.  B.  Haskell,  E.  E.  Blake, 
Albert  Knight,  Thos.  Hammond,  Henry  S.  Adams,  Thos.  W.  Barrell,  Timothv 
l  Foster,  C.  W.  Turner,  Jas.  S.  Tileston,  E  S.  Hathaway,  H.  D.  Noyes,  J. 
Langdon  Curtis.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  12;  present  member- 
ship, 600. 

Auxiliary  to  the  Woman's  Board  of  Missions. —  Organized  Feb.,  1872.  First 
officers — Mrs.  Mary.  F.  Davis,  Pres.;  Mrs.  Margaret  B.  Howard,  Sec;  Mrs. 
Emily  F.  Sturtevant,  Treas.     Present  officers  —  Mrs.  Henry  D.  Noyes,  Pres.  ;  Mrs. 


65 

Henry  S.  Bunton,  Sec  and  Treas. ;  Past  President — Mrs.  Mary  F.  Davis,  from 
1872-1S85.  Number  0/ members  at  organization,  36;  present  membership,  66. 
The  amount  raised  by  this  society  since  its  organization,  and  paid  over  to  the 
Woman's  Board  towards  the  support  of  schools  and  Bible  women  in  foreign  lands, 
is  $1,286.16. 

Maternal  Association. —  Organized  Dec.  3,  1879.  First  officers  —  Mrs.  Thos. 
Chamberlain,  Pres.;  Mrs.  C.  K.  Sanger,  V.-Pres.;  Mrs.  C.  F.  Holt,  Sec.  and 
Treas.  Present  officers  —  Mrs.  J.  P.  Higgins,  Pres.;  Mrs.  J.  L.  Curtis,  V.-Pres.; 
Mrs.  E.  C.  Farwell,  Sec.  and  Treas.  ;  Mrs.  F.  D.  Freeman,  Lib.  Past  Presidents  — 
Mrs.  Thos.  Chamberlain,  Mrs.  P.  B.  Davis,  Mrs.  E.  O.  Taylor,  Mrs.  G.  II.  Butler, 
Mrs.  J.  P.  Higgins.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  14  ;  present  member- 
ship, 41. 

Woman's  Home  Missionary  Union  (Ladies'  Sewing  Society). —  Organized  April 
28,  1864.  First  officers —"Mrs.  J.  J.  Raynes,  Pres.;  Mrs.  E.  E.  Blake,  V.-Pres.; 
Miss  II.  W.  Hammond,  Sec.  and  Treas.  Present  officers — Mrs.  C.  L.  Greene, 
Pres.;  Mrs.  D.  J.  Goss,  V.-Pres.;  Miss  Lelia  Caffin,  2d  V.-Pres.;  Mrs.  C.  P. 
Vaughan,  Sec;  Mrs.  1  >.  \V.  Lewis,  Treas.  Number  of  members  April  22,  [86S, 
40;  present  membership,  50. 

Young  Ladies'"  Aid  Society. —  Organized  Sept,  1882.  First  officers  —  Margaret 
W.  Stockbridge,  Pres.;  Lizzie  U.  Emerson,  V.-Pres.  ;  Carrie  S.  Capron,  Sec. 
Last  officers  —  Ella  E.  Goss,  Pres.;  Mrs.  L.  H.  Mclntire,  V.-Pres.;  Mary  L. 
Blackwell,  Sec.  This  was  a  very  active  organization,  which,  during  its  existence, 
donated  to  the  church  the  large,  colored  front  window,  representing  St.  Paul  and 
the  flood  Shepherd;  distributed  over  $700  in  charitable  ways,  and  helped  many 
needy  families. 

Yoitn«  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor. —  Organized  Dec.  16,  1S84.  First 
officers— Dr.  J.  K.  Knight,  Pres.;  Geo.  E.  Doty,  V.-Pres.;  Miss  II.  C.  Chamber- 
lain, Sec;  E.  W.  Lewis,  Treas.  Present  officers  —  Ralph  J.  Ellis,  Pres.;  Miss 
M.  B.  Caffin,  V.-Pres.;  Miss  Lucia  Alger,  Sec;  Miss  G.  E.  Holt.  Treas.  Fast 
Presidents  —  Dr.  J.  K.  Knight,  Joseph  D.  Ellis,  Henry  R.  Stone,  Fred  W.  Brown, 
Chas.  E.  Hathaway.     Present  membership,  72. 

Heart  and  Hand  Society  (Juvenile).  —  Organized  Dec.  I,  1877.  Officers  —  Miss 
Annie  J.  Walker,  Sec;  Miss  Crace  Robinson,  Treas.  Number  of  members  at 
organization,  43  regular  ;  22  honorary.  The  society  was  disbanded  in  1884,  and 
during  the  seven  years  of  its  existence  distributed  to  missions  $933.23.  The 
missionary  work,  home  and  foreign,  has  been  assisted  every  year  from  1877  (  with 
one  exception)  by  juvenile  effort,  but  under  different  organizations.. 

Iren's  Missionary  Society-  Organized  in  1SS6.  First  President — Mrs.  P. 
B.Davis;  Present  President — Mrs.  Wm.  Wood.  Present  membership,  45.  Dis- 
tributed to  missions  during  past  year,  $100. 

FIRST    METHODIST    CHURCH. 

First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — Organized  Feb.  10,  1867.  First  officers  — 
N.  T.  Whitaker,  Pastor;  Martin  L.  Whicher,  John  Terry,  David  C.  Bancroft, 
Byley  Lyford,  Charles  I).  Hubbard,  Stewards.  Present  officers —  form  Terry, 
H.  B.  Terry,  W.  II.  Xorris,  A.  If.  Ilolway,  C.  Haley,  A.  R.  Whittier;  George  L. 
Stocking,  A.  E.  Bradley,  Trustees;  C.  A.  House,  George  E.  Haven,  N.  F.  Berry, 
G.  IF  Peare,  W.  IF  Xorris,  P.  Merritt,  E.  L.  Jennings,  E.  S.  Xorris.  F.  Buss, 
Stewards.  Pastors — Revs.  X.  T.  Whittaker,  Geo.  Prentice,  E.  S.  Best,  I  A. 
Manning,  G.  W.  Mansfield,  J.  S.  Whedon,  IF  J.  Fox,  D.  !>..  W.  X.  Richardson, 
Jesse  Wagner,  Frederick  Woods,  I).  D.,  W.  T.  Worth.  Xrumber  of  members 
April  22,  1S6S,  53  ;  present  membership,  305. 

Sunday  School.  —  Organized  June  28,  1857.  First  officers —  Daniel  Warren, 
Supt. ;  Ira  Benton,  Chor. ;  L.  H.  I  lanaford,  Lib.  Present  officers  —  C.  A.  House, 
Supt. ;  Geo.  F.  Haven,  tst  Asst.;  Mrs.  A.  IF  Ifolwav,  2d  Asst  ;  C.  B.  Peare, 
Sec;  II.  E.  Morrill,  Treas.;  Miss  M.  Blake,  Asst.  Treas.;  C.  S.  Xorris,  Lib.; 
I-".  W.  Howard.  John  Hurst,  Assts.  Past  Superintendents  —  Daniel  Warren, 
John  Mcllroy,  M.  F  Whicher.  T.  E.  Bowman,  S.  IF  Hatch,  R.  W.  Husted,  IF  F. 
Howard,  J.   P.  Higgins,  Geo.  E.  Haven.     Number  of  members  April  22,  186S,  125; 


66 

present  membership,  439.  This  Sunday  school  was  the  pioneer  in  Hyde  Park. 
For  years  it  met  at  the  house  of  Daniel  Warren,  and  was  known  as  the  "  Warren 
Fairmount  Sunday  school." 

Ladies'  Social  Circle.  —  Organized  July  1,  1869.  First  officers — Mrs.  B.  F. 
Radford,  Pres.  ;  Mrs.  E.  M.  Swift,  V.-Pres.  ;  C.  D.  Hubbard,  Treas.  ;  Mrs.  G.  W. 
Hubbard,  Sec.  Present  officers — Mrs.  Lovell,  Pres.;  Mrs.  H  Terry  and  Mrs. 
Mclntire,  V.-Pres. ;  Mrs.  G.  E.  Haven,  Sec.  and  Treas.  Number  of  members  at 
organization,  28  ;  present  membership,  45.  Besides  other  charitable  work,  have 
raised  nearly  $4,oco  toward  church  debt. 

Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society.  —  Organized  Sept.  n,  1879.  First  offi- 
cers—  Mrs.  Alderman,  Pres;  Mrs.  Richardson,  V.-Pres.;  Ella  F.  Norris,  Rec. 
Sec;  Mrs.  Higgins,  Cor.  Sec.  ;  Mrs.  Radford,  Treas.  Present  officers  —  Mrs. 
Woods,  Pres. ;  Mrs.  Radford,  V.-Pres.  :  Mrs.  House,  Cor.  Sec.  and  Treas.  ;  Mrs. 
S.  J.  Hill,  Rec.  Sec.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  48  ;  present  member- 
bership,  50.  The  sum  of  $550  has  been  raised  for  this  work;  a  girl  in  Pekin, 
China,  is  supported  in  school,  and  a  sum  raised  to  assist  in  endowing  an  illustrated 
paper  for  women  of  India. 

Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society.  — Organized  May  5,  1887.  Present  officers  — 
Mrs.  J.  Hill,  Pres.  ;  Mrs.  R.  Mclntire,  Mrs.  J.  Terry  and  Mrs.  J.  Caller,  V.-Pres.; 
Mrs.  P.  Merritt,  Rec.  Sec;  Mrs.  Coleworthy,  Cor.  Sec;  Mrs.  W.  H.  Sayer, 
Treas.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  21  ;  present  membership,  35.  Mis- 
sionary contributions,  $160  ;  one  barrel  clothing,  40  subscribers  to  Woman's  Home 
Missions. 

Young  People's  Society.  —  Organized  Nov.  2,  1885.  First  officers  —  C.  S.  Nor- 
ris, Pres. ;  Annie  Clark,  V.-Pres.;  Lizzie  Husted,  Sec  ;  Ed.  Jenney,  Treas.  Pres- 
ent officers — C.  S.  Norris,  Pres.;  A.  D.  Wheeler,  V.-Pres. ;  Emily  Woods,  Sec.  ; 
W.  E.  Norris,  Treas.     Present  membership,  102. 

Mission  Band.  —  Organized  1S83.  First  officers  —  Ella  Stocking,  Pres.  ;  Emma 
Cochrane  and  May  Allen,  V.-Pres.  ;  Alice  Blake,  Rec.  Sec. ;  Helen  Cole,  Cor.  Sec. ; 
Sadie  Holway,  Treas.  Present  officers  —  Mrs.  Winward,  Pres.;  Sadie  Lincoln, 
V.-Pres.  ;  Emily  Woods,  Sec  and  Treas.  Present  membership,  20.  Contribu- 
tions, $109.50. 

UNITARIAN     CHURCH. 

First  Unitarian  Society-  —  Organized  June  1,  1867.  Incorporated  under  the 
general  laws  June  3,  1S68.  First  officers  — Theodore  D.  Weld,  Pres.  ;  A.  P.  Blake, 
V.-Pres.;  Benj.  C.  Vose,  Clerk;  David  D.  Ranlett,  Treas.  Present  officers  — 
Theodore  D.  Weld,  Pres. ;  F.  W.  Tewksbury,  V.-Pres. ;  Benj.  C.  Vose,  Clerk  ; 
Frank  W.  Darling,  Treas.  Pasters —  Revs.  T.  B.  Forbush,  Wm.  Hamilton, 
Francis  C.  Williams,  A.  Judson  Rich,  and  James  Huxtable.  Theodore  D.  Weld 
has  served  as  President  from  the  organization  ;  Benj.  C.  Vose  as  Clerk,  Treasurer, 
or  Vice-President  ;  and  F.  W.  Tewksbury  nine  years  as  Vice-President.  Number 
of  members  at  organization,  28  ;  present  membership,  105. 

Sunday  Sr/iool.  —  No  record  of  organization.  First  officers  —  B.  C.  Vose,  Supt. ; 
Sarah  M.  Vose,  Treas.;  Horace  Sumner,  Lib.  Present  officers — Rev.  James 
Huxtable,  Pastor;  Walter  C.  Bryant,  Supt.;  Wm.  R.  Hall,  Asst.  Supt.  ;  Sarah  M. 
Vose,  Treas.  ;   Fred.  II.  Bryant,  Lib.     Present  membership,  150. 

Ladies'  Social  and  Benevolent  Society.— Organized  Sept.  24,  1S74.  First  officers- 
Mrs.  F.  C.  Williams,  Pres. ;  Miss  S.  M.  Vose,  Sec.  Present  officers  —  Mrs.  F.  W. 
Tewksbury,  Pres. ;  Mrs.  P.  H.  Alexander,  Sec.  Number  of  members  at  organiza- 
tion,  46;  present  membership,  58. 

Unity  Club.  —  Organized  Oct.  24.  1884.  First  officers  —  Rev.  James  Huxtable, 
Pres.  ;  P.  H.  Alexander,  V.-Pres. ;  Miss  Abbie  S.  Teele,  Sec.  ;  A.  B.  H.  Chapin, 
Treas.  Present  officers  — Fred.  R.  Hill,  Pres.;  C.  K.  Gumey,  V.-Pres.;  Miss 
Hattie  F.  Packard,  Sec.  ;  Frank  G.  Head,  Treas.  Past  Presidents  — Rev.  James 
Huxtable,  P.  H.  Alexander,  R.  W.  Karnan.  Number  of  members  at  organization, 
23;  present  membership,  over  50.  The  object  of  the  club  is  to  promote  social 
intercourse  among  its  members,  by  literary,  musical,  and  other  entertainments,  and 
to  promote  the  interests  of  the  First  Unitarian  Society. 


67 

UNION     EVANGELICAL    CHURCH. 

Union  Evangelical  Church. —  Organized  April  26,  1872.  First  officers — J.  N. 
Stevens,  Clerk;  Mrs.  Mary  Mathewson,  Treas.  Present  officers — J.  N.  Tilton, 
Clerk;  S.  T.  Case,  Treas.;  J.  N.  Tilton  and  S.  T.  Case,  Deacons.  Pastors  — 
Revs.  Wm.  F.  Davis  and  J.  B.  Davis ;  supplied  by  students  for  the  past  ten  years. 
Number  of  members  at  organization,  5  ;  present  membership,  23. 

Union  Evangelical  Religious  Society. —  Organized  Aug.  27,  1870.  First  officers  — 
J.  N.  Stevens,  Clerk;  David  H.  Wight,  Treas.;  Geo.  E.  Sherman,  J.  N.  Stevens, 
B.  F.  Garland,  Pru.  Com.  Present  officers— J.  N.  Tilton,  Clerk;  S.  T.  Case, 
Treas.;  J.  N.  Tilton,  S.  T.  Case,  E.  W.  Lyon,  P.  A.  Spencer,  Charles  Spencer, 
Pru.  Com. 

CLARENDON     CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 

Clarendon  Congregational  Church. —  Organized  April  19,  1880.  First  officers  — 
Rev.  Samuel  D.  Hosmer,  Pastor  ;  Wm.  C.  Cannon,  Clerk;  John  H.  Tuckerman, 
Treas.;  John  H.  Halden,  Auditor;  John  H.  Tuckerman,  John  Halden,  Deacons  ; 
Rosina  Beet,  Laurana  W.  Melien,  Deaconesses;  W.  C.  Cannon,  S.  S.  Supt. 
Present  officers — Rev.  A.  H.  Johnson,  Pastor;  Geo.  E.  Grant,  Clerk ;  Wm.  R. 
Todd,  Treas.;  John  Halden,  Auditor;  Wm.  R.  Todd,  Deacon;  Mrs.  A.  A.  Day, 
Deaconess      Number  of  members  at  organization,  20  ;  present  membership,  41. 

Clarendon  Hills  Congregational  Society. —  Organized  and  incorporated  Jan.  14, 
1878.  First  officers—  C has.  H.  Veaton,  Clerk;  L.  J.  Bird,  S.  D.  Hilborn, 
Adolphus  Sherman,  J.  E.  Rogers,  Wm.  B.  Furbush,  C.  B.  Bedlington,  John  Hal- 
den, Ex.  Com.;  C.  H.  Yeaton,  Treas.  Present  officers — Rev.  A.  H.  Johnson, 
Pastor;  Andrew  Bates,  Clerk  and  Treas.;  A.  A.  Day,  Col.;  Rev.  A.  H.  Johnson, 
Miss  L.  E.  Fogerty,  Miss  L.  B.  Stevens,  A.  A.  Day,  and  Mrs.  M.  C.  Littlefield,  Ex. 
Com. ;  John  Halden,  Aud.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  17  ;  present 
membership,  70. 

ROMAN    CATHOLIC    CHURCH. 

Roman  Catholic  Church. —  Organized  Oct.  3,1870.  Pastors — Revs.  W.  J.  Cor- 
coran, James  S.  Conlan,  and  Richard  J.  Barry.  Number  of  members  at  organiza- 
tion, 2,200;  present  membership,  2,700. 

.Sunday  School. —  D.  A.  Leonard,  Supt.     Present  membership,  400. 

Holy  Name  Society. —  Organized  Nov.  14,  1SS6.  First  officers  —  D.A.Leonard, 
Pres.;  J.  D.  McAvoy,  V.-Pres.;  Michael  F.  Moylen,  Sec;  Ludger  Joubert,  Treas.; 
Rev.  Father  Burke,  Spiritual  Director.  Present  officers  —  D.  A.  Leonard,  Pres.  ; 
I.  D.  McAvoy,  V.-Pres.;  C has.  F.  Morrison,  Sec;  Ludger  Joubert,  Treas.;  Rev. 
R.  J.  Barry,  Spiritual  Director.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  144;  pres- 
ent membership,  16S.  A  benevolent  society,  paying  monthly  dues,  the  balance  of 
which,  after  actual    expenses,  goes  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor  of  the  parish. 

Sodality  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. — Organized  in  18S0.  First  officers  —  Mrs.  James 
S.  Coveney,  Pre.  ;  Miss  Mary  McGillicuddy,  Asst.  Pre.  Present  officers —  Rev.  H. 
A.  Barry,  Sp.  Director ;  Miss  B.  McGillicuddy,  Pre.;  Mary  Galligan  and  Marion 
Jackson,  Asst.  Pre.  Present  membership,  100.  The  end  of  this  society  is  to  foster 
piety,  virtue,  and  the  practice  of  good  works,  such  as  visiting  the  sick  and  succoring 
the  needy. 

YOUNG     MEN'S    CHRISTIAN    ASSOCIATION. 

Young  Men  s  Christian  Association. —  Organized  Feb.  2,  1SS5.  First  officers  —  C. 
L.  Alden,  Pres. ;  C.  P.  Vaughan,  V.-Pres. ;  I.  C.  Webster,  Sec.  j  John  Mackrille, 
Treas.;  Geo.  E.  Haven,  W.  F.  Badger,  S.  N.  Piper,  Dir.  Present  officers — Alex. 
Millar,  Pres.  ;  C.  L.  Alden,  V.-Pres.  ;  C.  B.  Peare,  Rec.  Sec  ;  A.  F.  Delano,  Treas.; 
G.  E.  Haven,  W.  F.  Badger,  J.  K.  Knight,  II.  J.  Whittemore,  Charles  Haley,  I.  C. 
Webster,  1  >irectors.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  13  ;  present  membership, 
165. 

Ladies'  Auxiliary. — Organized  Mar.  19,  1885.  First  officers — Mrs.  A.  II.  Brain- 
ard,  Pres.  ;  Mrs.  B.  F.  Radford,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Powers,  Mrs.  S.  X.  Piper,  Mrs.  M.  E. 
Hill,  V.-Pres.  ;  Mrs  (.'.  P.  Vaughan,  Sec.  ;  Mrs.  E.  D.  Swallow,  Treas.  Present 
officers  —  Mr-.  II.  J.  Whittemore,  Pres.;  Mrs.  II.  II.  Gould,  Mrs.  G.   M.   Fellows, 


68 

Mrs.  I.  J.  Brown,  Mrs.  A.  J.  Adams,  V.-Pres. ;  Mrs.  C.  P.  Vaughan,  Sec. ;  Mrs.  M. 
E.  Hill,  Treas.     Number  of  members  at  organization,  26;  present  membership,  75. 

MASONIC     BODIES. 

Hyde  Fark  Lod^e,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  —  Organized  February  1,  1866. 
First  officers  —  Enoch  P.  Davis,  W.  M.;  Robert  Campbell,  S.  W. ;  Charles  F. 
Gerry,  J.  W.  ;  S.  A.  Bradbury,  Treas.  ;  Chas.  A.  Jordan,  Sec;  D.  S.  Hill,  S.  D.; 
W.  F.  Ward,  J.  D.;  Rev.  A.  H.  Washburn,  Chap.;  Wm.  A.  Bullard,  Mar.  ;  Wm. 
U.  Fairbairn,  S.  S. ;  W.  W.  Colburn,  J.  S.;  James  L.  Vialle,  I.  S.  ;  F.  H.  Caffin, 
Ty.  Present  officers — Henry  F.  Howard,  W.  M. ;  Albert  E.  Bradley,  S.  W. ; 
Robert  Scott,  Jr.,  J.  W.;  Henry  S.  Bunton,  Treas. ;  T.  Daniel  Tooker,  Sec.  ;  Dr. 
Charles  Sturtevant,  Chap.  ;  Franklin  C.  Graham,  Mar.  ;  Asa  J.  Adams,  S.  D.  ; 
Dr.  J.  K.  Knight,  J.  D.;  Frank  S.  Norton,  S.  S. ;  Edwin  J.  Tuckerman,  J.  S.  ; 
Arch.  R.  Sampson,  T.  S.;  Frank  D.  Draper,  Or.;  David  A.  McDonald,  Ty.  Past 
Masters  —  Enoch  P.  Davis,  1866-67;  Charles  F.  Gerry,  186S-69  ;  William  H. 
Jordan,  1870-71;  Henry  S.  Bunton,  1872-73;  Fergus  A.  Easton,  1874-75; 
William  H.  Ingersoll,  1876-77;  Charles  H.  Colby,  1878-79;  John  F.  Ross, 
1880-81;  Stephen  B.  Balkam,  1882-83;  Henry  N.'  Bates,  1884-85;  James  F. 
Mooar,  1886-87.  Number  of  members  April  22,  186S,  56;  present  membership,  147. 
Norfolk  Royal  Arch  Chapter.  —  Organized  May  iS,  1870.  First  officers  —  Enoch 
P.  Davis,  M.  E.  H.  P.;  Sylvanus  Cobb,  Jr.,  E.  K. ;  Charles  F.  Gerry,  E.  S. ; 
Fergus  A.  Easton,  C.  of  H. ;  John  F.  Caldwell,  P.  S.;  Charles  E.  Bunker,  R.  A. 
C. ;  Wm.  A.  Heustis,  M.  3d  V. ;  Henry  C.  Adams,  M.  2d  V.;  Henry  W.  Wood, 
M.  1st  V.:  Wm.  J.  Stuart,  Treas.;  Henry  S.  Bunton,  Sec. ;  Geo.  F.  Bemis,  Chap.  ; 
James  L.  Vialle,  S.  S. ;  David  S.  Hill.  J.  S. ;  Joel  F.  Goodwin,  Ty.  Present 
officers  —  Henry  N.  Bates,  M.  E.  H.  P.;  Philander  Harlow,  E.  K.;  George  L. 
Lang,  E.  S. ;  Henry  S.  Bunton,  Treas.  ;  T.  Daniel  Tooker,  Sec.  ;  Merrill  Under- 
bill, C.  of  H. ;  Clement  B.  Tower,  P.  S.  ;  Thomas  E.  Clary,  R.  A.  C. ;  Frank  N. 
Bates,  M.  3d  V. ;  Albert  E.  Bradley,  M.  2d  V.  ;  Asa  J.  Adams,  M.  1st  V. ;  Ge<  rge 
Miles,  Chap.;  Charles  L.  Farnsworth,  S.  S. ;  James  H.  Hood,  J.  S. ;  David  A.  Mc- 
Donald, Ty.  Past  High  Priests — Enoch  P.  Davis,  1870;  Gamaliel  Hodges,  187 1  — 
72;  Sylvanus  Cobb,  Jr.,  1873;  Henry  S.  Bunton,  1874-5-6;  Charles  C.  Nichols, 
1877  ;  William  H.  Ingersoll,  1878  ;  Henry  C.  Chamberlain,  1S79  ;  Charles  L. 
Farnsworth,  1880-r  ;  Moses  N.  Gage,  1882-3  ;  David  L.  Hodges,  1884-5  '■>  Mel' 
ville  P.  Morrell,  1SS6.  Membership  at  organization,  24  ;  present  membership,  94. 
Hyde  Park  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masters.  Organized  October  1,  1872. 
First  officers  —  Fergus  A.  Easton,  T.  111.  M. ;  Sylvanus  Cobb,  Jr.,  R.  111.  M. ; 
William  H.  Ingersoll,  111.  M.  of  W. ;  William  J.  Stewart,  Treas.;  Henry  S. 
Bunton,  Rec;  William  H.  Heustis,  C.  of  G. ;  Edward  Roberts,  C.  of  C. ;  Joel  F. 
Goodwin,  S.  ;  Philander  Harlow,  Ty.  Present  officers — David  L.  Hodges,  T. 
111.  M.;  Ellis  H.  Williams,  D.  M.;  Moses  N.  Gage,  P.  C.  of  W.;  Henry  S.  Bunton, 
Treas.;  Dr.  Charles  Sturtevant,  Rec;  Henry  N.  Bates,  C.  of  G. ;  Philander 
Harlow,  C.  of  C;  Rev.  George  Hill,  Chap.;  Seneca  Sanford,  Mar.;  James  L. 
Vialle,  St.;  David  A.  McDonald,  Sent.-  Past  Thrice  Illustrious  Masters  —  Fergus 
A.  Easton,  1872;  Gamaliel  Hodges,  1873-74;  Fergus  A.  Easton,  1875;  Henry  S. 
Bunton,  1876-77  ;  John  F.  Ross,  1878  ;  Sylvanus  Cobb,  Jr.,  1879-S0 ;  Charles  M. 
Tilly,  1881  ;  Henry  N.  Bates,  1882  ;  Davis  L.  Hodges,  1 883-84-8 5-86-S7.  Number  of 
members  at  organization,  14;  present  membership,  89. 

Cyprus  Commandery  of  Knights  Templars  and  the  Appendant  Orders — Organized 
Oct.  31,  1873.  First  officers  —  Gamaliel  Hodges,  E.  C. ;  Charles  H.  Colby,  Gen.; 
Henry  S.  Bunton,  C.  G.  ;  Sylvanus  Cobb,  Jr.,  Pre. ;  Geo.  F.  Lincoln,  S.  W. ;  Enoch 
P.  Davis,  J.  W.;  Charles  H.  Colby,  Acting  Treas.;  Howard  Jenkins,  Treas.  Present 
officers  —  Melville  P.  Morrell,  E.  C. ;  Henry  N.  Bates.  Gen.;  George  L.  Lang.  C. 
G. ;  Henry  S.  Bunton,  Pre.  ;  Albert  G.  Webb,  S.  W. ;  Alonzo  B.  Wentworth,  J.'W.; 
Stephen  B.  Balkam,  Treas. ;  James  F.  Mooar,  Rec;  Charles  L.  Farnsworth.  St.  B.; 
George  Miles,  Sw.  B.;  John  F.  Videto,  W. ;  Frank  H.  Bates,  T.  C.  of  G;  Franklin 
D.  Brigham,  S.  C.  of  G. ;  Leroy  J.  French,  F.  C.  of  G. ;  Frank  D.  Draper,  Or.; 
David  A.  McDonald,  Sent.  Past  Eminent  Commanders — Gamaliel  Hodges,  1S73- 
74-75;  Henry  C.  Chamberlain,  1876-77  ;  Sylvanus  Cobb,  Jr.,  1878;  Henrv  S.  Bun- 
ton, 1S79  80;  George  F.  Lincoln,  1881-82;  Stephen  B.  Balkham,  1S8384  ;  Moses  N. 
Gage,  1885-S6.     Number  of  members  at  organization,  12;  present  membership,  87. 


69 

ODD     FELLOWS. 

Forest  Lodge,  No.  148,  <  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  —  Organized  Feb. 
20,  1869.  First  officers — David  Perkins,  N.  G  ;  Rufus  B.  Plum  me  r.  V.  G. ; 
George  G.  Bolton,  Sec.  ;  Nathaniel  Shepard,  Treas.  Present  officers— Jacob  C. 
Hanscom,  N.  G. ;  C.  L.  Stevens,  V.  G. ;  Henry  F.  Arnold,  Rec.  Sec.;  L.  B. 
French,  Treas.;  M.  M.  Fitton,  Per.  Sec.  Past  Noble  Grands  —  David  Perkins, 
Geo.  G.  Bolton,  R.  B.  Plummer,  Geo.  W.  Halliday,  J.  R.  Thompson,  John  A. 
Soule,  A.  W.  Davis,  N.  F.  Shepard,  A.  Greenwood,  Roland  Raymond,  E.  1!. 
Noyes,  Rufus  K.  Rich,  Thomas  C.  Holmes,  L.  H.  Russell,  Henry  Routley,  K.  F. 
Boynton,  Wm.  Price,  Henry  F.  Arnold,  J.  F.  Peppeard,  John  M.  Howe,  E.  J. 
Wescott,  H.  P.  Bussey,  ( leo.  L.  Eldridge,  Fred  E.  Rollins,  Wm.  \V.  Fowler, 
Frank  H.  Fogg,  C.  S.  Butters,  Wm.  E.  Kelley,  James  H.  Bell,  Robt.  P.  Holmes, 
M.  H.  Barker,  E.  L.  Stevens,  E.  J.  Price,  E.  J.  Tuckerman,  Mark  T.  Hatch. 
Number  of  members  at  organization,  9;  present  membership,  181. 

Monterey  Encampment,  No.  60.  —  Organized  Feb.  25,  1887.  First  officers  — 
Wm.  E.  Kelley,  C.  P. ;  Geo.  L.  Eldridge,  H.  P. ;  Henry  F.  Arnold,  Scribe  ;  Edwin 
J.  Tuckerman,  Treas. ;  Charles  S.  Butters,  S.  W.  ;  Robert  Woolard,  J.  W.  Present 
officers  —  Robert  Woolard,  C.  P.;  Wm.  E.  Kelley,  H.  P.;  Henry  F.  Arnold, 
Scribe;  E.  L.  Fetting,  Treas. ;  W.  M.  Pairbanks,  S.  W. ;  Frank  H.  Fogg,  J.  W. 
Number  of  members  at  organization,  14;  present  membership,  no. 

Progressive  Degree  Lodge i  No.  34,  Daughters  of  Rebekah. — Instituted  March  S,  1SS2. 
First  officers  —  Wm.  Price,  N.  G.  ;  Sarah  J.  Boynton.  Y.  G.  ;  Henry  F.  Arnold, 
Rec.  Sec.  ;  Maria  P.  Stark,  Fin.  Sec. ;  Franklin  C.  Graham,  Treas  ;  Magdelene  C. 
Keltie,  Chap.  Present  officers  —  Geo.  L.  Eldridge,  N.  G.  ;  Jennie  M.  Hanscom, 
V.  G. ;  Caroline  F.  Arnold,  Rec.  Sec;  Rosa  J.  Eldridge,  Treas.;  Sarah  E. 
Woodward,  Fin.  Sec. ;  Jane  Burns  Edwards,  Chap.  Number  of  members  at 
organization,  29;  present  membership,  100.  Annual  dues,  $1.50.  Sick  benefits, 
$1.00  per  week.     Funeral  benefit,  $15.00. 

KNIGHTS    OF    PYTHIAS. 

Bayard  Lodge. — Organized  April  2,  1870.  First  otficers  —  Merrill  Underbill, 
P.  C.  j  Henry  A.  Darling,  P.  C.  ;  Austin  A.  Cushman,  C.  C. ;  [ohn  Miles,  V.  C.  ; 
Merrill  Underhill,  Y.  P. ;  Henry  A.  Darling,  M.  E. ;  C.  L.  Farnsworth,  K.  R.  S.  ; 
John  Beatey,  M.  A.;  A.  J.  Whittier,  I.  S. ;  B.  H.  Hardy,  O.  S. 

UNITED    ORDER    INDEPENDENT    ODD     LADIES. 

Ambassadress  Lodge,  No.  5. —  Organized  Feb.  9,  1SS0.  "  Government  "  incorpo- 
rated Sept.  19,  1883.'  First  officers — S.  A.  Davis,  N.  L.  ;  S.  ].  ISoynton,  Y.  I  .  ;  A. 
Holmes,  Chap.;  E.  A.  Ilamblin,  P.  L.  ;  A.  M.  Prentiss,  S.  R.  ;  S.  II.  Parentis,  f. 
R.  j  A.  B.  Howe,  S.  \\\;  S.  A.  York,  J.  W.j  A.  E.  Gunnison.  L.  R.;  E.  I ..  Hat<  h, 
C.  Sec;  C.  E.  Boynton,  R.  Sec;  C.  F.  Arnold,  Treas.;  M.  D.  Peppeard,  C.  ; 
C.  I,.  Brooks,  G.  Present  officers— E.  F.  Fitton,  N.  L.  ;  R.  J.  Hallur,  V  L. ; 
M.  Worthylake,  Chap.;  N.  S.  Davis,  P.  L. ;  P.  A.  Williams,  S.  R. ;  S.  ]. 
Fowler,  J.  K.  ;  F.  .Mallard.  S.  W.  ;  A.  L.  Wilson,  J.  W.  ;  A.  B.  Howe,  I..  R.  ; 
C.  F.  Arnold,  Rec.  Sec;  S.  ].  Boynton,  Fin.  Sec;  S.  }.  Ilanior,  Treas.;  K.  T. 
Ellis,  C;  C.  F.  Adler,  G.  Past  Noble  Ladies  — S.  T."  Hovnton,  C.  L.  Brooks, 
M.  D.  Peppeard,  K.  W.  Tibbetts,  C.  F.  Arnold.  A.  B.  Howe.  M.  C.  Keltie, 
E.  L  Hatch,  I..  I!,  buck,  A.  Holmes.  B.  E.  Brackett,  H.  \.  Walmeslev,  S.  A. 
York,  L.  L.  Clark,  P.  A.  Williams,  F.  L.  Williams.  S.  ].  Fowler,  M.  L.  Rich, 
S.  I  Mitchell,  M.  E.  Harmon,  E.  McDonald,  L.  A.  Rrainarcl,  A.  !..  Wilson.  S.  J. 
Hamor,  A.  Iloltham,  A.  E.  Gunnison,  M.  A.  Landt,  C.  F.  Adler,  I,.  B.  Merrill. 
Number  of  members  at  organization,  14  ;  present  membership,  36.  Total  mem- 
bership since  organization,  88;  death,  removals,  and  withdrawals  to  form  other 
lodges  have  decreased  the  number.  Four  lodges  are  now  in  good  working  order, 
whose  origin  traces  to  Ambassadress  ;  the  membership  of  them  at  the  present  time 
is  375.  Since  organization  this  lodge  has  distributed  for  sick  benefits,  etc.,  S500. 
Amount  of  cash  on  hand  in  bank  and  paraphernalia,  $200. 


7o 

INDEPENDENT    ORDER    OF    RED    MEN. 

Neponset  Tribe,  No.  26. —  Organized  Sept.  9,  1886.  First  officers  —  M.  M. 
Whipple,  P. ;  James  McKay,  S. ;  Geo.  L.  Eldridge,  S.  S.  ;  O.  W.  Woodward, 
J.  S. ;  F.  W.  Jones,  C.  R. ;  O.  W.  Manuel,  A.  C.  R. ;  Dr.  J.  C.  Lincoln,  K.  W. 
Present  officers  —  A.  R.  Williams,  P.;  Fred  A.  Leason,  S.  ;  Geo.  McDougald, 
S   S.  ;  Geo.  K.  Hartman,  J.  S. ;  Edward  J.  Ellis,  C.  R. ;  O.  W.  Manuel,  A.  C.  R.  ; 

E.  F.  Stevens,  K.  W.     Sachems  —  James  McKay,  G.  JL.  Eldridge,  A.  R.  Williams, 

F.  A.  Leason.     Number   of  members   at   organization,  24;   present   membership, 
122. 

MASSACHUSETTS    CATHOLIC    ORDER    OF    FORESTERS. 

St.  John's  Court,  No.  23. —  Organized  Dec.  14,  1880.  First  officers  —  James  E. 
Cotter,  C.  R. ;  Thomas  Murray,  V.  C.  R. ;  Eugene  McCarthy,  Fin.  Sec;  Frederick 
S.  Sullivan,  Rec.  Sec;  John  McKenna,  Treas.  Present  officers  —  Charles  F. 
Morrison,  C.  R. ;  Dennis  Mahoney,  V.  C.  R. ;  Thomas  Murray,  R.  S. ;  John 
Brady,  Treas.;  Fred  S.  Sullivan,  Fin.  Sec.  Past  presiding  officers  —  James  E. 
Cotter,  Thomas  Murray,  Fred  S.  Sullivan,  Thomas  Mulcahy,  John  Cullinane, 
Richard  J.  Sullivan,  John  H.  Russell.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  46; 
present  membership,  30.  The  object  of  this  organization  is  to  promote  friendship, 
unity,  and  true  Christian  charity.  Friendship,  by  assisting  each  other  by  every 
means  in  our  power  ;  unity,  in  uniting  for  mutual  support,  and  in  making  suitable 
provision  for  the  widow  and  orphan  ;  true  Christian  charity,  in  doing  to  each  other 
as  we  would  wish  that  others  should  do  unto  us. 


ROLL    OF     HONOR. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  soldiers  of  the  Civil  War,  who  resided  at  time  of  enlist- 
ment within  the  present  territorial  limits  of  Hyde  Park : 


Robert  R.  Andrews, 
Moses  Angell, 
Win.  F.  Badger, 
Benj.  J.  Bartlett, 
Geo.  Bent, 
Sumner  Bradbury, 
Geo.  C.  Bunker, 
W.  Campbell, 
Lorenzo  Chandler, 
Wm.  Chandler, 
Henry  Chowdy, 
Wm.  Constantine, 
Wm.  Conway, 
Andrew  N.  Damrell, 
Horace  S.  Damrell, 
Wm.  S.  Damrell, 
Wm.  Darby, 
Edmund  Davis, 
Patrick  Donley, 
Edward  Dow, 


Robert  Edson, 
Charles  J.  Ellis, 
Thomas  C.  Evans, 
Justin  Farnum, 
Andrew  Fisher, 
Herman  Fisher, 
William  Fisher, 
William  Fletcher, 
Samuel  G.  Greene, 
Richard  Griffin, 
Geo.  W.  Halladay, 
John  T.  Halladay, 
David  Higgins, 
Wm.  Higgins, 
Benj.  Hill, 
John  C.  Holt, 
Sewell  S.  Ingraham, 
H.  G.  W.  Kittredge, 
James  Lincoln, 
Nehemiah  Lincoln, 


Loring, 

Wm.  A.  Mason, 


Elijah  W.  Moffatt, 
Thomas  Murray, 
J.  H.  Nightingale, 
Wm.  Nightingale, 
E.  Norton, 
Daniel  O'Connell, 
Wm.  O'Connell, 
George  Pierce, 
Wm.  L.  Pierce, 
Henry  S.  Reed, 
W.  O.  V.  Rockwood, 
Wm.  S.  Spring, 
Freeman  Spiller, 
Manly  Spiller, 
Frank  D.  Thompson, 
James  J.  Viallie, 
Isaac  White, 
Wm.  Whitney, 
Wm.  Whiting,  John  M.  Williams. 

Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  Timothy  Ingraham  Post,  No.  121. — Organized  Mar. 
24,  1870.  First  officers —  Sylvanus  Cobb,  Jr.,  Com.  ;  Fergus  A.  Easton,  S.  V.  C.  ; 
George  F.  Bemis,  J.  V.  C.  ;  Henry  C.  Adams,  Adj.;  Henry  S.  Bunton,  Quar. ; 
Lewis  E.  Fisher,  Surg. ;  Francis  C.  Williams,  Chap.  ;  Elijah  W.  Moffatt,  Serg.  Maj.j 
James  E.  Dow,  Q.  M.  Serg. ;  Henry  R.  Lee,  Off.  Day ;  Moses  E.  Angel,  Off.  Guard. 
Present  officers —  Tames  McKay,  Com.;  Sylvester  R.  Swett,  S.  V.  C. ;  Charles  E. 
Palmer,  J.  V.  C. ;  George  A.  Whitcher,  Adj.;  Edwin  J.  Chandler,  Quar. ;  Charles 
C.  Hayes,  M.  D.,  Surg.  ;  Rev.  H.  W.Tilden,  Chap. ;  William  Carberry,  Serg.  Maj. ; 
Abel  C.  Ford,  Q.  M.  Serg.;  Daniel  Kelleher,  Off.  Day;  Leander  Wentworth,  Off. 
Guard.     Past  presiding  officers — Sylvanus  Cobb,  Jr.,  Fergus  A.  Easton,  Henry  S. 


Bunton  G.  Henry,  Perkins,  Henry  A.  Darling,  Richard  F.  Boynton,  David  W.  Lewis, 
George  E.  Eldridge,  Lerrjuel  B.  French,  George  G.  Bailey,  Jr.,  Stephen  H.  Reynolds. 
Number  of  members  at  organization,  17  ;  present  membership,  140.  Amount  re- 
ceived from  fairs,  collection  in  church  and  gifts,  $2,462.38.  Amount  paid  out  for 
relief  of  soldiers,  or  their  widows  and  orphans,  $2,620.99.     List  of  members  : 

James  S.  Mitchell, 
E.  W.  Moffatt, 
Randolph  P.  Moseley, 
Thomas  Murray, 
Joseph  M.  Nichols, 
Joseph  A.  Noble, 
Wm.  II.  Norris, 
Geo.  E.  Noyes, 
Daniel  O'Connell, 
Charles  E.  Palmer, 
Geo.  H.  Peare, 
E.  B.  Pendleton, 
Berij.  E.  Phillips, 
Henry  B.  Phipps, 
Samuel  N.  Piper, 
S.  \V.  Poland, 
Henry  M.  Preston, 
Stephen  II.  Reynolds, 
Edward  L.  Roone, 
James  F.  Rumrell, 
Lauriman  H.  Russell, 
John  W.  Sanborn, 
James  Sandow, 
Fben  T.  Sears, 
J.  F.  Stackpole, 
Tobias  Stackpole, 
E.  F.  Stevens, 
Robert  II.  Stokoe, 
Charles  Sturtevant,  M.  D., 
Sylvester  R.  Swett, 
Henry  B.  Terry, 
Francis  W.  Tewksbury, 
Rev.  Horace  W.  Tilden, 
Charles  B.  Tower, 
James  M.  Trotter, 
Joseph  II.  Twitchell, 
Chas.  II.  Tyler, 
E.  R.  Walker, 
Thomas  Wallace, 
Andrew  Washburn, 
Leander  Wentworih, 
I  .cwis  Wheeler, 
Joshua  Wilder, 

A.  Whitcher, 
I.  11.   White, 
Daniel  F.   Wood, 
Geo.  H.  Wood, 
Cornelius  A.  Weeden,  John  M.  Young. 

Names  of  deceased  comrades  of  Timothy  [ngraham  Post,  No.  121. 

Mount    Hope — Oeorge    II.    Haliday,    Frank     Whitcher,    Charles    F.    Howard, 
Thomas  W.  Floyd, Nightingale,  Geo.  C.  Tinkham,  Oliver  Colbum. 

Forest  Hills — Isaac  W.  Elwell. 

Woodlawn,  Chelsea  —  Sylvan  us  Cobb,  lt~. 

Old  Dedham  ( 'emetery,  Dedham  —  Andrew  J.  1 ! 

St.  Mary's  Roman  Ca//io!i,\  Dedham  —  Martin  WcDonough. 

Newburyport —  John  K.  Rovvell. 


Julius  R.  Bloom, 
Richard  F.  Boynton, 
Frank  D.  Brigham, 
O.  Q.  Brown, 
Albion  P.  Bickmore, 
Silas  P.  Blodgett, 
Henry  S.  Bunton, 
George  W.  Briggs, 
•G.  C.  Blaisdell, 
Nathaniel  F.  Berry, 
Walter  C.  Bryant, 
Wm.  F.  Badger, 
Geo.  G.  Bailey,  Jr., 
J.  E.  Belcher, 
John  Beatey, 
John  M.  Blood, 
John  R.  Bond, 
John  C.  Blanckard, 
Geo.  W.  Bent, 
Henry  B.  Carrington, 
John  Campbtll, 
Wm.  Carberry, 
Edwin  J.  Chandler, 
A.  F.  Cheever, 
J.  K.  Christopher, 
Ethan  S.  Churchill, 
David  A.  Cochran, 
James  G.  Cook, 
Michael  Conroy, 
Reuben  Corson, 
Wm.  Coullahan, 
Geo.  W.  Cullen, 
James  A.  Cullen, 
Michael  Curley, 
Henry  A.  Darling, 
Edmund  Davis, 
Samuel  F.  Davey, 
Alfred  A.  Day, 
Frank  II.  Dean, 
George  S.  Downes, 
I  >aniel  Dunn, 
Tames  M.  Durell, 
E.  Q.  Dyer, 

Eldridge, 
Charles  J.  Ellis, 
fc-seph  I).  Fllis, 
Frank  E.  Emery, 


George  Enos, 

Wm.  C.  Eustis, 

Henry  S.  Fellows, 

James  W.  Fenn, 

Albert  Fisher, 

Andrew  Fisher, 

Benj.  E.  Fogg, 

Thomas  Foley, 

Abel  C.  Ford, 

M.  Fradenburg, 

Lemuel  B.  French, 

Martin  Gibbons, 

R.  J.  Gordon, 

Cyrus  Gorman, 

Wm.  J.  Graham, 

Wm.  A.  Gray, 

Chailes  L.  Green, 

Bradley  F.  Gurney, 

M.  T.  Hatch, 

Charles  C.  Hayes,  M.  D., 

David  Higgins, 

Josiah  P.  Higgins, 

Ja«.  M.  Hobbey, 

Charles  F.  Holt, 

J.  C.  Holt, 

Robert  Jackson, 

Howard  Jenkins, 

Jas.  V.  Jusselyn, 

John  II.  Kazar, 

Daniel  Kelleher, 

Wm.  W.  Ketchum, 

Henry  Landt, 

Geo.  L.  Fang, 

Wm.  D.  Laws, 

Geo.  H.  Lee, 

David  W.  Lewis, 

Elijah  Lincoln, 

Andrew   Long, 

O.  W.  Manuel, 

Robert  Marshall, 

Thomas  Martin, 

Herbert  A.  Maxwell, 

I ).  Mel  )ougald, 

Win.   McDonald, 

James  McKay, 

Patrick  McKenna, 

Gustav  A.  Meister, 


72 

Resident  G.  A.  R.  men  who  are  not  connected  with  the  local  Post:  Frank  C. 
Austin,  James  K.  Bigelow,  Nathaniel  M.  Putnam,  Dennis  G.  Walker,  J.  P.  Bills, 
M.  D.,  Benj.  A.  Hewins. 

Timothy  Ingraham  Relief  Corps,  No.  jj,  Auxiliary  to  G.  A.  R. —  Organized 
Feb.  18,  1884.  First  officers  —  Helen  Bryant,  Pres.  ;  Annie  Churchill,  S.  V.; 
Lucy  A.  Reynolds,  J.  V.  ;  M.  A.  Eustis,  Sec.  ;  Mary  G.  Bunton,  Treas. ;  Jane  H. 
Berry,  Chap.;  Elizabeth  F.  Bickmore,  Con.;  Mary  F.  Gurney,  G.  Present 
officers — Elizabeth  F.  Bickmore,  Pres.  ;  Belle  Alexander,  S.  V.  ;  Marietta  Davis, 
J.  V.  ;  Helen  A.  Brigham,  Sec.  ;  Mary  G.  Bunton,  Treas.  ;  Louisa  U.  Whitcher, 
Chap.;  Maria  Brigham,  Con.;  Griselda  Ford,  G.  Past  Presidents — Helen 
Bryant,  Annie  Churchill,  Elizabeth  V.  Lang,  Lucy  A.  Reynolds.  Number  of 
members  at  organization,  45  ;  present  membership,  62. 

Camp  Reynolds  (Independent)  Sons  of  Veterans.  —  Organized  Sept.  10,  1887. 
First  officers — Daniel  Kelleher,  Capt.  ;  Robert  W.  Walker,  1st  Lieut.;  John  L. 
Frame,  2d  Lieut.  Present  officers  —  D.  Kelleher,  Capt.;  R.  W.  Walker,  1st 
Lieut.;  J.  L.  Frame,  2d  Lieut.  ;  F.  H.  Bryant,  Or.  S.;  C.  L.  Kelleher,  Col.  S.  ;  W. 
H.  Weeden,  2d  S. ;  J.  J.  Wallace,  3d  S. ;  B.  E.  Phillips,  Jr.,  4th  S. ;  Silas  Dady, 
Drum  Major.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  28  ;  present  membership,  33. 
The  ages  of  members  range  from  13  to  39  years.  Thursday  evening,  Dec.  8,  1887, 
(three  months  after  organization)  the  Camp  was  presented  a  fine  set  of  colors  by 
the  citizens,  consisting  of  U.  S.  National  ensign,  and  pair  of  guidon  markers.  This 
is  the  only  camp  of  the  kind  known. 

INSURANCE    ORDERS. 

Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No.  437,  Knights  of  Honor. —  Organized  Jan.  31,  1877.  First 
officers  —  Geo.  H.  Miller,  P.  D.  ;  Samuel  Cochrane,  D.;  Howard  Jenkins,  V.  D. ; 
Lucius  Allen,  Jr.,  A.  D.;  E.  E.  Edwards,  Rep.;  Edwin  De  Meritte,  F.  R.  ;  Alfred  A. 
Brooks,  Treas.;  F.  W.  Tewksbury,  G. ;  Palmer  Merritt,  Chap.;  H.  J.  Townsend,  G.; 
Thomas  Ward,  S.  Present  officers  —  D.  G.  Thompson,  P.  D  ;  H.  J.  Townsend,  D.; 
Geo.  E.  Haven,  V.  D.  ;  Laban  Worrick,  A.  D.  ;  Howard  Jenkins,  Re]).  ;  James  S 
Mitchell,  F.  R  ;  A.  A.  Mandell,  Treas.;  Geo.  Kenney,  G.;'  Henry  M.  Buck,  Chap.; 
Geo.  F.  Bradford,  G.;  John  Gilson,  S.  Past  Dictators  —  Samuel  Cochrane, 
Howard  Jenkins,  F.  W.  Tewksbury,  B.  C.  Vose,  E.  E.  Edwards,  W.  C.  Bryant, 
Geo.  B  Kerr,  H.  F.  Howard,  Parker  Jones,  D.  G.  Thompson.  Number  of 
members  at  organization,  20;  present  membership,  123.  Present  amount  of  lodge 
fund,  $2,500.  It  is  used  in  paying  sick  benefits  to  members  as  per  by-laws,  and 
current  expenses. 

Neponset  Council,  Xo.  136,  Royal  Arcanum. — Organized  Aug.  6.  1878.  First  officers 
—  E.  I.  Humphrey,  Reg.;'J.  S.  Baker,  Sec.  Present  officers  —  Chas.  H.  Tucker,  R.; 
Chas.  A.  House,  Sec.  Past  Regents  —  E.  I.  Humphrey,  Edmund  Davis,  F.  H. 
Videto,  G.  Fred  Gridley,  C.  A.  House,  H.  F.  Howard,  D.  W.  C.  Rogers,  Geo.  E. 
Haven,  Harry  Pothecary,  John  Mackrille,  Geo.  H.  Snow.  Number  of  members  at 
organization,  40  ;  present  membership,  to8. 

Golden  Rule  Commandery,  No.  jj,  United  Order  of  the  Golden  Cross. —  Organized 
April  2,  1879  F'rst  officers  —  Chas.  P.  Vaughan,  N.  C;  Edmund  Davis,  N.  V.  C; 
John  N.  Bullard,  Pre.  ;  Malcolm  Rogers,  Her. ;  Pitts  E.  Howes,  K.  R. ;  Edward 
Stone,  F.  K.  R.;  Chas.  T.  Harris,  Treas.;  Mrs.  E.  A.  Hardy,  W.  O.  G;  Frances  D. 
Bullard,  W.  I.  G.;  Dr.  F.  L.Gerald,  P.  N.  C.  Present  officers  —  Edmund  Davis, 
N.  C;  Lydia  B.  Merrill,  N.  V.  C;  A.  M.  Merrill,  Pre.  ;  D.  F.  Wood,  K.  R.;  C.  P. 
Vaughan,  F.  K.  R.;  C.  U.  Meiggs,  Treas.;  E.  C.  Farwell,  Her.;  Dr.  H.  Leseur, 
W.  I.  G  ;  Roscoe  Damon,  W.  O.  G.;  S.  P.  Blodgett,  P.  N.  C.  Past  Noble  Com- 
manders—  Chas.  P.  Vaughan,  John  N.  Bullard,  Henry  Routley,  Dr.  H.  Leseur, 
C.  U.  Meiggs,  Dr.  J.  K.  Knight,  F.  H.  Dean,  Daniel  F.  Wood,  F.  C.  Graham,  E. 
C.  Farwell,  N.  F.  Berry,  Wilbur  H.  Powers,  S.  P.  Blodgett.  Number  of  members 
at  organization,  19,  present  membership,  42.  A  fraternal  temperance  organization, 
insuring  for  $2,000,  and  paying  a  weekly  sick  benefit,  admitting  to  membership 
both  gentlemen  and  ladies. 

Fairmount  Council,  No  ijg,  American  Legion  of  Honor. — Organized  April  7,  1880. 
First  officers— Henry  T.  Arnold,  C.  ;  E.  E.  Blake,  V.  C. ;  H.  A.  Darling,  ().;  Dr. 


73 

L.  M.  Gould,  P.  C.  ;  Herbert  E.  Hunt,  Sec;  A.  E.  Bailey,  Treas.;  Rev.  W.  N. 
Richardson,  Chap.;  William  Holtham,  G.  ;  G,  W.  Frost,  W.  ;  ].  R.  Hall,  S.  Pres- 
ent officers  — G.  W.  Frost,  C;  W.  M.  Wiswall,  V.  C.;  J.  D.  Davenport,  O.;  J. 
H.  Chipman,  P.  C;  Albert  Davenport,  Sec;  Dr.  W.  S.  Hincks,  Col.;  Merrill  Under- 
bill, Treas.  ;  A.  H.  Holway,  Chap.;  H.  M.  Delapole,  G.;  Martin  Olson,  W. ;  W.  F. 
Curtis,  S.  Past  Commanders — II.  F.  Arnold,  S.  S.  Somes,  J.  H.  Richardson,  W. 
F.  Curtis,  J.  F.  Peppeard,  J.  H.  Chipman.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  25; 
present  membership,  52.  A  fraternal  insurance  order,  paying  a  sum  not  exceeding 
$5,000  and  weekly  sick  benefit.  Sick  or  disabled  members  can  draw  for  ten  weeks 
in  a  year  $4.00  on  a  thousand,  until  one-fifth  of  their  insurance  is  drawn.  Benefici- 
aries of  deceased  members  of  Fairmount  Council  have  received  $i£, 500.0c. 
Amount  paid  by  members  of  Fairmount  Council,  $10,436.77. 

Riverside  Lodge  No.  33,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. — Organized  Oct.  31, 
1881.  First  officers— Geo.  G.  Bailey,  |r.,  P.  M.  W.;  Hobart  M.  Cable,  M.  W.j  Orin 
T.  Gray,  F.  ;  John  F.  Elliot  O. ;  R.  C.  Habberley,  Rec;  Geo.  B.Kerr,  R.;  Win. 
Dean  Overell,  Fin. ;  Aubrey  Macbrien,  G.;  E.  S.  Churchill,  I.  W. ;  f.  F.  Yideto, 
< ).  W.     Present  officers—  H.  I.  Townsend,  P.  M.  W. ;  R.  M.  Johnson,  M.  W. ;  N. 

B.  Crummett,  F.;  II.  F.  Wright,  ( ).  :  S.  N.  Riper,  G. ;  R.C.  Habberley,  Rec;  Asa  J. 
Adams,  R. ;  W.  C.  Bryant,  Fin.  ;  Parker  Jones,  I.  W.  ;  F.  D.  Freeman,  O.  W. ;  Dr. 
E.  H.  Baxter,  Med.  Ex.  Past  Master  Workmen— O.  T.  Gray,  D.  W.  C.  Rogers, 
T.  II.  Yideto,  F.  D.  Freeman,  H.  J.  Townsend.  Number  of  members  at  organiza- 
tion, iS  ;  present  membership,  62. 

Hyde  Park  Coiuicil  A'0.66,  Order  of  United  Friends. —  Organized  March  28,  18S3. 
First  officers — Herbert  E.  Hunt,  C.  C.  ;  Maria  B.  Aldrich,  Y.  C.  C.j  Wm.  Batho, 
Rec;  J.  B.  Fall,  Treas.  ;  Helen  A.  Brigham,  Fin.;  Louisa  Fall,  Pre.;  F.  H.  Bowen, 
G.;  |.  P.  Stevens,  s.;  |.  II.  Melzard,  P.  C.  C.     Present  officers  — Chas.  F.  Graham, 

C.  C;  Freeman  Means,  Y.  C.  C;  A.  M.  Merrill,  Rec;  Merrill  Underhill,  Treas.; 
J.  R.  Brewer,  Fin.;  Norman  W.  Scott,  Pre.;  Wm.  Swinton,  M.;  Wm.  P.  Hilton,  G.; 
J.  P.  Stevens,  S.     Number  of  members  at  organization,  48  ;  present  membership,  48. 

Local  Branch,  JY0.3S3,  Order  of  the  Iron  //all. — Organized  Aug.  y,  1886.  First 
officers  — C.  E.  Alden,  P.  C.  J.;  Henry  A.  Haskell,  C.  J.;  S.  E.  Ferry,  V.  J.;  J.  S. 
Browning,  Ac;  E.O.Taylor,  <  ash.;  G.  H.  Snow,  Ad.;  J.  H.  Tuckerman,  Pre.; 
H.  F.  Holtham,  H.;  E.  E.  Bailey,  W.;  Edward  F.  AdamN  Y.;  J..  M.  Gould,  Med. 
Ex.  Present  officers— W.  F.  Curtis,  C.  J.;  S.  E.  Ferrv,  V.  |.;  C.  II.  McDuffie,  Ac: 
E.  <>.  Tavlor,  Cash.;  B.  II.  Ilardv,  Ad.;  Chas.  II.  Maxwell,  Pre.;  P.  N.  Ferrv,  IP; 
Wm.  E.  Hobby,  W.;  Trescott  P.  Morton,  V.;  L.  M.  Gould,  Med.  Ex.  Number  of 
members  at  organization,  ro, ;  present  membership,  32.  From  Aug.  31,  18S6,  to 
March  1,  1SS8,  the  sum  of  Si, 375  has  been  drawn  by  members  of  Local  Branch, 
No.  383,  in  sick  benefits. 

Sisterhood  Branch,  No.  j6S. — Organized  Oct.  17,  1887.  First  officers  —  Carrie 
L.  Brooks,  C.  J.  ;  N.  Cecilia  Walden,  P.  C.  J.;  Ama  J.  Ellis,  V.  J.;  Susie  Y. 
Degen,  Ac;  Etta  M.  Fogg,  Cash.;  E.  A.  Hardy,  IP;  Elizabeth  S.  Lawrence,  Ad.; 
Phebe  A.  Williams,  Pre.;  Freda  Hurd,  W  ;  Lizzie  A.  Lincoln,  V.  Present  officers 
—  Ama  J.  Ellis,  C.  [.;  X.  C.  Walden,  P.  C.  J.;  S.  E.  Bean,  V.  J.j  ('.  p.  Brooks, 
Ac;  E.  M.  Fogg,  Cash.;  Freda  Hurd,  IP;  E.  S.  Lawrence,  Ad.;  Ellen  F.  Bean,  Pre; 
Eila  S.  Day,  W.;  Lizzie  A.  Lincoln,  Y.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  17  ; 
present  membership,  31.  Receipts  during  first  year,  $141.  This  order  gives  a 
sick  benefit  of  $15  per  week  for  twenty  weeks;  is  doing  good,  and  said  to  be  a 
blessing  to  woman. 

Norfolk  Asseml'ly,  Xo.  So,  Royal  Society  of  Good  Fellows. —  Organized  May  12, 
1887.  First  officers  — Chas.  A.  House,  R.;  Frank  H.  Wheeler,  I.;  C.  II 
McCrillis,  C.j  John  F.  Gardner,  P.  R.;  Willis  W.  Thompson,  Sec;  Dr.  J,  K. 
Knight,  Fin.  Sec;  Arch.  R.  Sampson,  Treas.;  P.  C,  Parwell,  Pre.;  W.  S.  B. 
Gould,  D.j  L  T.  Daniels,  G.;  C.  S.  Gay,  S.  Present  officers —  Frank  H.  Wheeler, 
R.;  W.  II.  Powers,  [.;  W.  S.  B.  Gould,  C. :  W.  W.  Thompson,  Sec.  ;  Dr.  J.  K 
Knight,  Fin.  Sec;  Arch.  R.  Sampson,  Treas.;  Wm.  G.  Shaw,  I).;  (has.  S.  Gay,  <'..; 
Edward  W.  McDonald,  S.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  16;  present 
membership,  112.  A  benefit  organization  which  is  growing  rapidly,  and  seems 
destined,  because  of  its  low  rates  of  insurance,  to  become  one  of  the  largest  in  the 
country. 


74 

TEMPERANCE    ORGANIZATIONS. 

Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union. — Organized  April,  1876.  First  officers  — 
Mrs.  E.  Sturtevant,  Pres.;  Mrs.  A.  H.  Hoi  way,  Mrs.  E.  D.  Swallow,  Mrs.  S.  N. 
Putnam,  Mrs.  J.  B.  Richardson.  V.-Pres.;  Mrs.  E.  T.  Lewis,  Sec.  and  Treas.  Pres- 
ent officers— Mrs.  M.  P.  Alderman,  Pres.;  Mrs.  E.  B.  Greene,  Mrs.  A.  W.  Radford, 
Mrs.  E.  N.  Goodwin,  V.-Pres.;  Mrs.  E.  D.  Swallow,  Sec.  and  Treas.  Present  mem- 
bership, 40. 

Young  Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union. —  Organized  Dec.  5,  1887.  Present 
officers — Mary  E.  Whittemore,  Pres.;  Mrs.  E.  I.  Colesworthy,  Florence  Webster, 
Mary  V.  Habberley,  V.  Pres.;  Emily  Woods,  Rec.  Sec;  Adelaide  L.  Dodge,  Cor. 
Sec. ;  Emma  A.  Cochrane,  Treas.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  20;  present 
membership,  70. 

Fairmount  Division,  No.  43,  Sons  of  Te7nperance. — Organized  Jan.  7,  1867.  First 
officers — Thomas  W.  Barrell,  W.  P.;  Ira  L.  Benton,  W.  A.;  Henry  S.  Bunton, 
Rec.  Sec;  Walter  Hogan,  Con.  Past  Worthy  Patriarchs  —  Thomas  W.  Barrell, 
Chas.  F.  Gerry,  George  W.  Noyes,  Fergus  A.  Easton,  Henry  S.  Bunton,  Sylvanus 
Cobb,  Jr.,  Nathaniel  Bodwell,  Ella  W.  Cobb,  Mary  M.  Williams,  Ira  L.  Benton. 
Reorganized  Feb.  24,  1885.  Present  officers — W.  W.  Scott,  W.  P.;  Sarah  Lovell, 
W.  A.;  Benj.  Rafter,  R.  S.,  Susan  L.  Tuttle,  A.  R.  S.;  John  D.  Mailard,  F.  S.; 
Elijah  Lincoln,  Treas.:  R.  C.  Habberley,  Chap.;  George  Sherman,  Con.;  Coria 
Lincoln,  Ass't  Con.;  Lizzie  Swain,  I.  S.;  Annie  McDugald,  O.  S.;  Fannie  M.  Mal- 
lard, P.  W.  P.  Number  of  members  at  reorganization,  14;  present  membership 
68. 

Hyde  Park  Lodge,  No.  283, 1.  O.  G.  T. — Organized  Nov.  18,  1867.  First  officers — 
William  H.  Heustis,  W.  C.  T;  Tohn  Miles,  W.  R.  S.  Last  officers— L.  A.  Soule, 
W.  C.  T.;  George  H.  Whitcroft,  W.  R.  S.  Worthy  Chief  Templars—  Wm.  H. 
Heustis,  Chas.  H.  Gilman,  Henry  S.  Bunton,  Geo.  H.  Whitcroft.  Charter  surren- 
dered April,  1S69,  with  84  members. 

Sunnyside  Lodge,  ATo.  2Q,  L.  O.  G.  T. — Organized  May  5,  1870.  First  officers — 
E.  P.  Hamilton,  W.  C.  T.;  D.  \V.  Aiken,  W.  R.  S.  Charter  surrendered  October,. 
1873,  w'tn  a  membership  of  46. 

Damon  Lodge,  No.  73, 1.  O.  G.  T.  (Readville.) — Organized  May  7,  1S73.  First 
officers — John  Lowry,  W.  C.  T.;  John  Moore,  W.  R.  S.  Charter  surrendered  Jan- 
uary, 1S76,  with  a  membership  of  23. 

Readville  Lodge,  No.  124,  L.  O.  G.  T. — Organized  June,  1880.  First  officers — 
Daniel  G.  Sunderland,  W.  C.  T.;  Russell  W.  Eaton,  W.  R.  S.  Charter  surren- 
dered January,  1882,  with  a  membership  of  23. 

Energetic  Lods^e,  Lndependent  Order  of  Good  Templars. —  Organized  Mar.  11,  1882. 
First  officers— John  Scott,  P.  C.  T.,  D.  F.  Wood,  W.  C.  T. ;  Edith  L.  Wier,  W. 
V.  T.;  Geo.  H.  Manley,  W.  Sec;  Mary  P.  Keltie,  W.  Treas.;  Mrs.  Jessie  Beckford, 
W.  F.  Sec;  Geo.  DDty,  W.  Chap.;  Chas.  Harris,  W.  M.;  Cora  Peare,  W.  I.  G-r 
Tas.  A.  Richardson,  W.  O.  G. ; Bessie  L.  Wheeler,  W.  R.  H.  S.  Last  officers  — 
Frank  H.  Haslam,  P.  C.  T.;  Henry  Haskell,  C.  T.;  Mrs.  J.  P.  Bills,  V.  T.;  A.  W. 
Chamberlain,  Sec;  Fred  C.  Packard,  Treas.;  Agnes  J.  Campbell,  F.  Sec;  Wm.  H. 
Badger,  Mar.;  J.  Allan  Crosby,  Chap.;  Clara  Holmes,  G.;  A.  R.Andrews,  S. ;  Mrs. 
Mary  Chamberlain,  L.  H  S.;  Belle  D.  Curtis,  R.  H.  S.  Past  Worthy  Chief  Tem- 
plars — D.  F.  Wood,  John  K.  Wightman,  Wallace  M.  Rhoads,  Geo.  Doty,  A.  W. 
Chamberlain,  John  Scott,  Ed.  J.  Price,  Frank  B.  Rich,  Galen  L.  Stone,  Henry  B. 
Humphrey,  William  Scott,  Fred  C.  Packard,  Leonard  W.  Hall,  Wm.  Badger,  A.  R. 
Andrews,  Frank  H.  Haslam,  Henry  A.  Haskell. 

Temperance  Association. —  Organized  in  1874.  First  President — T.  H.  Videto, 
followed  by  E.  I.  Humphrey.  This  association  was  very  successful,  holding  many 
mass  meetings  in  the  churches.  The  Reform  Club  absorbed  it  and  intensified  the 
public  interest  in  the  cause  of  temperance. 

Reform  Club — Organized  during  1875.  The  activity  and  success  of  this  organiza- 
tion was  without  a  parallel  in  the  beneficent  work  it  accomplished.  In  point  of 
members  and  interest  it  has  not  since  been  excelled.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  we. 
are  unable  to  find  any  record  of  these  two  organizations. 


75 

Blue  Hill  Division,  No.  j8,  Sons  of  Temperance. —  Organized  Nov  u,  1884. 
First  officers — Frances  E.  Bullard,  \V.  P.;  David  Y.  Morrison,  W.  A.;  M. 
Augusta  Kellogg,  R.  S. ;  %V.  Ellery  Bullard,  A.  R.  S  ;  J.  \V.  Hume,  Chap.;  E. 
H.  Ingram,  F  S. ;  Ada  Temperley,  Treas. ;  Geo.  II.  Clapp,  Con. ;  Lottie  Muse, 
A.C.;  Lizzie  Breathwaite,  I.  S. ;  Thomas  Daggett,  O.  S.  Present  officers  —  W. 
Ellery  Bullard,  W.  P.;  P.  A.  Spencer,  W.  A.;  A.  S.  Matthewson,  R.  S. ;  Nellie 
M.  Sanger,  A.  R.  S.;  Chas.  Spencer,  Treas.  ;  F.  E.  Bullard,  F.  S. ;  J.  N.  Tilton, 
Chap.  ;  H.  T.  Dean,  Con. ;  A.  Montgomery,  A.  C. ;  D.  H.  Chisholm,  I.  S.  ;  I- .  T. 
Hall,  O.  S.  Past  Worthy  Patriarchs— F.  E.  Bullard,  D.  Y.  Morrison,  Thomas 
Daggett,  P.  M.  Hussey,  F.  H.  Montgomery,  Amelia  S.  Matthewson.  Number  of 
members  at  organization,  16;  present  membership,  39.  This  Division  is  self- 
supporting  and  in  a  piosperous  condition. 

Independent  Cadets  of  Temperance,  Star  of  Hope  Section,  No.  1. —  Organized 
March  27,  1884.  First  officers — R.  C.  Habberley,  \V.  P.;  Miss  H.  A.  Perry, 
D.  W.  P.;  G.  F.  Eldridge,  P.  W.  C. ;  Alfred  Mackrille,  C.  C.  ;  Lillie  Hatch, 
A.  C.  C;  G.  W.  Hodges,  Sec. ;  Millie  Sturtevant,  A.  S. ;  Minnie  Darling,  Treas., 
C.  Nichols,  A.  T.  ;  A.  \V.  Chamberlain,  Chap.  ;  Louise  Ryan,  U. ;  C.  Balkam,  G.  ; 
H.  Holtham,  W. ;  Wm.  C.  Habberley,  A.  W.  Present  officers  —  R.  C.  Habberlev, 
\V.  P.  ;  Miss  H.  A.  Perry,  D.  W.  P. ;  W.  Edwards,  P.  C.  C. ;  John  Neilson,  C.  C.  ; 
Nettie  Farnsworth,  A.  C.  C. ;  E.  Slocomb,  Sec;  Hattie  Williams,  A.  Sec.  ;  Geo. 
Church,  Treas.  ;  Katie  Ford,  A.  Treas. ;  Bert  Savage,  G. ;  Geo.  Barritt,  U.  ;  Fred 
Jenkins,  W.  ;  Geo.  Raynes,  A.  W. ;  L.  W.  Parkhurst,  Chap.  Number  of  mem- 
bers at  organization,  32  ;  present  membership,  65.  This  organization  is  the  suc- 
cessor of  the  Star  of  Hope  Temperance  Society,  organized  March  14,  188 1,  with 
the  following  officers:  R.  C.  Habberley,  Pres. ;  Bernard  Lane,  Y.-Pres. ;  fohn 
Lane,  Treas.  ;  Lillie  Sweetser,  Sec. ;  A.  N.  Habberley,  U.  Membership  at 
organization,  8  ;  final  membership,  97. 

Pearl  Section,  No.  1,  Cadets  of  Honor. —  Organized  Oct.  20,  1884.  First  officers 
—  D.  F.  Wood,  W.  A.;  Maggie  I.  Parker,  W.  V.  A.;  Mary  V.  Habberley, 
P.  W.  A.;  Wm.  M.  Cannon,  W.  R.  S.  ;  Geo.  M.Butler,  W.  A.  S. ;  Lizzie  E. 
Richardson,  W.  T. ;  Geo.  W.  Hodges,  W.  F  S.  ;  Robert  C.  Habberley,  W.  C.  ; 
John  J.  Clingen,  W.  G.  ;  Louise  E.  Ramseyer,  W.  U. ;  Henry  F.  Holtham,  W.  \\ '.; 
L.  Edward  Bailey,  W.  S. ;  Charles  Balkam,  R.  H.  S. ;  Lena  Foster,  L.  H.  S. 
Present  officers  —  Frank  R.  Heustis,  W.  A. ;  L.  Gertrude  Reynolds,  W.  V.  A.; 
Geo.  C.  Towle,  P.  W.  A. ;  Josie  E.  Thompson,  W.  R.  S. ;  Frank  E.  Bridgeman, 
W.  A.  S.  ;  John  W.  Towle,  W.  T.  ;  Lizzie  Balkam,  W.  F.  S. ;  Daniel  S.  Taylor, 
W.  C.j  Arthur  Ramsever.  W.  G. ;  William  Norris,  W.  U. ;  Charles  Fenn,  W.  W.; 
Eldon  W.  Joubert,  W.  S.  ;  Carrie  I.  Hibbard,  R.  H.  S. ;  Geo.  Fiske,  L.  II.  S. 
Past  presiding  officers — D.  F.  Wood,  George  F.  Eldridge,  John  J.  Clinpen, 
George  C.  Towle.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  21  ;  present  member- 
ship, 64. 

LITERARY     SOCIETIES. 

Weld  Circle,  Chautauqua  Literary  and  Scientific  Circle.  Organized  Sept.  20, 
1880.  First  officers  —  Henry  F.  Howard,  Pres.;  Chas.  S.  Norris,  Sec.  Present 
officers  —  J.  P.  Higgins,  Pres.;  Mrs.  H.  F.  Howard,  Y.-Pres.;  Mrs.  J.  L.  Doty, 
Sec.  Past  Presidents  —  H.  V.  Howard,  Dr.  J.  K.  Knight,  Chas.  A.  House,  Chas. 
S.  Norris.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  21  ;  present  membership,  20. 
These  figures  do  not  give  a  correct  idea  of  the  number  who  have  come  under  the 
influence  of  the  Circle.  A  very  large  number  have  been  connected  with  it  during 
the  eight  years.  The  Chautauqua  Literary  and  Scientific  Circle  was  organized  in 
1878  by  Dr.  J.  II.  Vincent,  who  not  only  had  the  weight  and  wisdom  to  devise 
great  things,  but  also  to  realize  them.  Chautauqua  says,  Christianity  must  not  be 
afraid  of  culture.  A  Christless  culture  and  a  cultureless  Christianity  are  alike  to 
be  feared  ;  they  must  be  wedded.  Like  the  statue  in  New  York  harbor  with  the 
torch  in  her  hand,  lighting  the  mariner  at  sea,  so  culture  must  light  her  wick  from 
the  Light  which  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,  and  sends  its 
illuminating  beams  world  wide  Each  year  finds  new  members  entering  the  list 
for  the  four  years'  course,  and  thus  the  local    circle   has   kept    up   its  interest  and 


76 

influence.     Our  meetings  are  open  to  all  who,  with  us,  desire  to   fill  up  their  time 
with  duty  to  God  and  man,  and  strive  for  a  record 

"  Which  shall  leave  no  sting  in  the  heart  of  memory, 
No  stain  on  the  wing  of  time." 

Thought  Club. — Organized  Feb.  14,  1SS2.  First  officers — Mrs.  R.  Dempsey, 
Pres.  ;  Mrs.  Porter,  V.-Pres.;  Miss  Elizabeth  Emerson,  Sec.  Present  officers  — 
Miss  M.  Pratt,  Pres. ;  Mrs.  Mason,  V.-Pres. ;  Miss  Ella  Cobb,  Sec.  and  Treas. 
Number  of  members  at  organization,  15  ;  present  membership,  30  (limited).  The 
club  is  essentially  literary. 

Wentworth  Club. — Organized  June  10,  1884.  Officers  —  Mrs.  J.  Wentworth 
Payson,  Pres.  ;  Theodore  D.  Weld,  Gen.  H.  B.  Carrington,  Chas.  E.  Hurd, 
Advisory  Committee.  Number  of  members,  50  subscribers.  This  club  is  the  out- 
growth of  Mrs.  J.  Wentworth  Payson's  literary  evenings  given  at  her  home,  136 
Fairmount  Avenue.  The  first  of  these  took  place  June  10,  1884,  when  Theodore 
D.  Weld  read  a  paper  on  Milton's  "  Paradise  Lost."  From  the  inception  of  these 
evenings,  Mrs.  Payson  has  designed  to  form  a  salon  for  the  literati,  artists,  and 
leading  citizens  of  Hyde  Park.  Distinguished  people  from  different  parts  of  the 
country  and  from  abroad  have  been  present  at  these  gatherings.  A  high  intellec- 
tual tone  has  prevailed  and  men  of  fine  talent  have  contributed.  Among  notable 
salons  have  been  the  "  Whittier  Evening,"  given  before  the  Thought  Club  Dec.  4, 
1SS4,  and  the  "  Evening  with  Wordsworth,"  given  by  Dr.  Henry  N.  Hudson,  the 
Shakespearian  editor,  Aug.  10,  1S83. 

Young  Mens  Lyceum. — Organized  April  7,  1S83.  First  officers  —  Frank  B. 
Rich,  Pres;  Henry  White,  Sec.  Successive  Presidents  —  Chas.  F.  Jenny,  John 
Scott,  John  K.  Wightman,  Alex.  Millar,  Galen  L.  Stone,  Warren  F.  Mclntire, 
Augustus  N.  Doe.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  20;  with  a  subse- 
quent membership  of  41.  Organized  for  the  "improvement  of  its  members  by 
the  acquisition  of  greater  proficiency  in  debate,  and  the  proper  command  of  the 
English  language."  In  the  early  part  of  1SS4  two  public  debates  with  the  Webster 
Union  of  East  Dedham  were  held,  and  Sept.  25,  1S84,  a  very  interesting  public 
discussion  on  the  merits  of  the  various  presidential  candidates  was  held  in  G.  A.  R. 
Hall. 

Shakespeare  Club. —  Organized  Oct.,  1S85.  First  officers — E.  S.  Paine,  Pres.; 
Dr.  E.  H.  Baxter,  V.-Pres.  ;  Miss  II.  E.  Tower,  Sec.  The  organization  has  now 
passed  into  the  hands  of  a  special  teacher,  and  has  no  other  officers.  Number  of 
members  at  organization,  14;  present  membership,  30. 

Grattan  Literary  Institute. — Organized  April  3,  18SS.  Officers — M.  F.  Moylan, 
Pres  ;  fas.  S.  Coveney,  V.-Pres.  ;  P.  H.  Rooney,  Sec.  ;  Edward  McKenna,  Treas. ; 
J.  H.  lirown,  Wm.  Brady,  Thomas  Mulcahey,  D.  Lucy,  Dir.  Membership,  36. 
Organized  after  the  model  of  the  V.  M.  C.  A.,  for  literary  and  social  purposes. 
Intend  to  secure  quarters,  and  open  reading-room  and  library. 

High  School  Alumni  Association.  —  Organized  July  6,  1874.  First  officers  — 
Geo.  W.  Rollins,  Pres. ;  Lizzie  D.  Bunker,  Sec.  and  Treas.  Present  officers  — 
Wm.  H.  Sanger,  Pies.;  Wm.  Hall,  V.-Pres.;  Laura  Jenkins,  Sec;  Annie  H. 
Miller,  Treas.  Pa^t  Presidents —  Geo  W.  Rollins,  Harry  R.  Chamberlain,  Henry 
White,  P.  Fox.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  12;  present  membership, 
136. 

Fairmount  School  Alumni  Association. — Organized  Nov.  7,  1878.  First  officers 
—  M.  W.  Mitchell,  Pres.;  E.  Roberts,  Jr.,  Lillie  Booth,  V.-Pres.;  H.  E  Tower, 
Sec;  Marion  S.  Piper,  Treas.  Present  officers  —  H.  C.  Mandell,  Pres.;  E.  W. 
Sawyer,  V.-Pres.;  Grace  F.  Eustis,  Sec.  and  Treas.  Past  Presidents  —  M.  W. 
Mitchell,  E.  Roberts,  Jr.,  Samuel  E.  Ward,  H.  C.  Mandell,  G.  F.  Hammond,  F. 
B.  Rich,  F.  E.  Blackmer.     Present  membership,   100. 

MUSICAL    SOCIETIES. 

Hyde  Park  and  Fairmount  Choral  Society.  —  Organized  1858.  First  officers  — 
Prof.  A.  J.  Robinson,  Pres.;  WTm.  F.  Cary,  Sec.  and  Treas.;  Wm.  A.  Blazo, 
Wm.  Rogers,  Esq.,  and  I.  L.  Benton,  Board  of  Managers.  This  society 
was  organized   in  the   fall  of    1858.     I.    L.    Benton,  conductor.     Constitution  and 


77 

by-laws  were  adopted  to  govern  the  society.  They  prospered  beyond  expecta- 
tion, gave  six  public  rehearsals  each  year,  to  the  delight  of  the  village  in- 
habitants, from  whom  they  obtained  quite  a  sum  of  money  and  purchased  a 
respectable  library  of  music.  They  gave  one  concert,  the  proceeds  of  which  went 
to  purchase  shade  trees  that  are  standing  up  and  down  Fairmount  Avenue  and 
other  localities  of  the  village  to  this  day.  On  Washington's  Birthday,  the  22d  day 
of  February,  1S66,  they  dedicated  the  new  Music  Hall,  then  standing  on  the  corner 
of  Hyde  Park  Avenue  and  River  Street,  with  a  grand  concert,  which  stood  the 
criticism  of  one  of  Boston's  best  musical  critics,  and  was  by  him  pronounced  as  a 
very  fine  performance.  This  society  was  flourishing  at  the  time  of  the  organization 
of  the  town,  and  had  on  its  membership  roll  the  names  of  many  of  our  prominent 
citizens. 

Hyde  Park  Chorus  Club. — Organized  Dec.  21,  1871,  and  continued  for  four  sea- 
sons. First  officers — Solomon  Hovey,  Pres.;  T.  C.  Evans,  V.-Pres.;  Geo.  B.  War- 
ren, Sec.  and  Treas.;  Edwin  Tilden,  Cond.  Last  officers —  A.  H.  Brainard,  Pres.; 
Geo.  B.  Warren,  Sec.  and  Treas.  Membership  the  first  year,  135.  This  club  was 
the  outgrowth  of  rehearsals  for  a  concert  given  in  aid  of  the  Public  Library.  It  oc- 
cupied its  first  season  with  rehearsals  for  the  World's  Peace  Jubilee,  held  in  Boston 
in  June,  1872,  being  enrolled  No.  24  and  furnishing  over  one  hundred  voices  for  the 
grand  chorus.  During  the  three  following  seasons,  it  gave  several  concerts  of  a 
high  order,  being  well  qualified  therefor  by  the  previous  training.  In  Dec,  1874, 
it  was  decided  to  discontinue  further  meetings,  and  a  few  years  later,  it  bequeathed 
all  its  musical  property  to  the  Choral  Society. 

Choral  Society. —  Organized  Oct.  9,  1879.  First  officers — Thos.  Chamberlain, 
Pres.;  A.  II.  Brainard,  E.  S.  Hathaway,  V.-Pres.;  R.  M.  Johnson,  Sec;  T.  C. 
Evans,  Geo.  B.  Warren,  Austin  B.  French,  Dir.;  J.  W.  French,  Lib.  Last  officers 
— E.  S.  Hathaway,  Pres.  ;  T.  C.  Evans,  E.  C.  Farwell.  V.-Pres.;  A.  E.  Bradley,  Sec. ; 
Mrs.  K.  A.  Paine,  W.  H.  Harlow,  Jas.  S.  Mitchell,  Dir.;  F.  L.  Johnson,  Lib.  Pres- 
idents—  Thos.  Chamberlain,  R.  M.  Johnson,  G.  H.  Moulton,  E.  S.  Hathaway. 
Was  in  active  service  until  1883. 

Anniversary  Chorus.  Committee  on  Twentieth  Anniversary — H.  J.  Whittemore, 
Ch.  ;  C.  E.  Huggins,  Sec. ;  E.  L.  Jennings,  W.  H.  Harlow,  J.  F.  Loughlin,  C.  F. 
Holt,  G.  L.  Ridley.  A  chorus  of  100  voices  was  organized,  H.  J.  Whittemore, 
conductor,  and  Miss  M.  E.  Whittemore,  accompanist,  which  with  the  orchestra 
rendered  the  Hallelujah  Chorus,  from  the  oratorio  of  Messiah,  Gloria  from  Mozart's 
Twelfth  Mass,  and  other  selections.  A  choir  was  also  formed  to  sing  some  of  the 
old  time  music,  which  was  given  with  violin  and  bass  viol  accompaniment.  At  one 
of  the  churches  a  select  choir  of  40  voices,  assisted  by  the  quartette  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church,  gave  several  selections  of  classical  music.  For  complete  list 
of  those  participating  in  the  musical  exercises,  see  programme  of  services. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Fairmount  Laud  Company  and  Twenty  Associates. — Organized  Sept.  1,  1855. 
Alpheus  P.  Blake,  Pres.;  John  Williams,  Treas.  Composed  of  the  following  gentle- 
men :  Wm.  E.  Abbott,  Amos  S.  Angell,  A.  P.  Blake,  E.  E.  Blake,  Ira  L.  Benton, 
John  N.  Brown,  Geo.  W.  Currier,  H.  C.  Fisk,  J.  C.  French,  Wm.  E.  French,  David 
Iliggins,  John  Hobbs,  Sam'l  S.  Mooney,  Wm.  II.  Nightingale,  J.  YVentworth  Payson, 
D  wight  B.  Rich,  A.J.  Robinson,  Wm.  II.  Seavey,  Daniel  Warren,  and  John  Wil- 
liams. From  this,  in  1859,  grew  the  Real  Estate  and  Building  Company,  incor- 
porated in  1861. 

Social  Science  Association. —  Organized  1873.  First  President  —  Frederic  A. 
Ellis.  Last  officers — E.  I.  Humphrey,  Pres.;  Miss  M.  E.  I.ibby,  Sec;  Dr.  T.  K. 
Knight,  Treas.  This  organization  had  discussions  on  social  questions  (in  public), 
and  gave  a  course  of  lectures  in  which  three  of  our  townsmen,  Messrs.  C.  F.  Gerry, 
O.  T.  Gray,  and  E.  I.  Humphrey  were  speakers. 

Ifyde  Park  Improvement  Society.  —  Organized  March  1,  1881.  First  officers  — 
Rev.  P.  B.  Davis,  Pres.;  Col.  J.  B.  Bachelder,  D.  L.  Davis,  Sylvanus  Cobb,  Jr., 
Henry  Grew,  A.  II.  Brainard,  V.-Pres.;  S.  G.  Maconiber,  clerk;  II.  S.  liunton, 
Treas.     Present   officers — W.   J.    Stuart,    Pres.;  J.    B.    Bachelder,  V.-Pres.;  E.  S. 


7* 

Hathaway,  Sec;  Rob't  Bleakie,  Treas.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  21; 
present  membership,  80.  Organized  to  encourage  and  stimulate  all  measures  look- 
ing to  the  improvement  of  the  town.     At  present  in  a  quiescent  state. 

Hyde  Park  Associates. — Organized  Jan.  1,1887.  Officers — Frederick  N.  Tirrell, 
Pres.;  Geo.  M.  Rice,  V.-Pres.;  Ellis  H.  Williams,  Treas.;  Sidney  C.  Putnam,  C. 
Fred  Allen,  Fred  A.  French,  Trustees;  Wilbur  H.  Powers,  Chas.  Vose,  Oscar  W. 
Whicher,  A.  G.  Worden,  Gideon  Haskell,  Geo.  M.  Rice,  Ex.  Com.;  Alex.  Millar, 
Jas.  F.  Mooar,  Asa  J.  Adams,  Auditors.     Number  of  members  (limited),  42. 

Hyde  Park  Horticultural  Society. —  Organized  May  13,  1884.  First  officers  — 
W.  C.  Eustis,  Pres.  ;  D.  C.  Marr,  1st  V.-Pres.  ;  Mrs.  E.  W.  Allen,  2d  V.-Pres. ; 
Dr.  J.  K.  Knight,  Sec,  Mrs.  B.  F.  Radford,  Treas.  ;  Robert  Bleakie,  Andrew 
Washburn,  Sylvanus  Cobb,  Tr.,  Mrs.  A.  H.  Brainard,  and  Mrs.  G.  G.  Bailey,  Ex. 
Com.  Present  officers— W.  C.  Eustis,  Pres. ;  Chas.  F.  Holt,  1st  V.-Pres.;  Mrs.  D. 
W.  Lewis,  2d  V.-Pres.  ;  R.  M.  Johnson,  Sec. ;  Mrs.  H.  S.  Bunton,  Treas.  ;  H.  W. 
Killam,  B.  C.  Vose,  C.  E.  Roberts,  Mrs.  A.  H.  Brainard,  and  Mrs.  A.  E.  Swallow, 
Ex.  Com.     Number  of  members  at  organization,  71 ;  present  membership,  96. 

Historical  Society.  —  Organized  March  15,  1887.  First  officers  —  Amos  H. 
Brainard,  Pres. ;  Henry  Grew,  1st  V.-Pres. ;  H.  B.  Humphrey,  Rec.  Sec. ;  C.  F. 
Jenney,  Cor.  Sec. ;  Wallace  D.  Lovell,  Treas.;  and  seven  curators.'  Present 
officers  the  same.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  34  ;  present  membership, 
83.  The  object  of  this  society  is  "  the  promotion  of  the  study  of  history,  with 
particular  reference  to  that  of  Hyde  Park,  the  preservation  and  perpetuation  of 
the  memory  of  persons  and  events  connected  with  said  town,  and  the  collection  of 
objects  of  historic  interest."  Although  a  young  organization,  the  society  has 
already  been  of  great  benefit.  It  has  made  a  start  upon  an  historical  library,  and 
the  collection  of  matters  of  interest  relating  to  the  town.  It  observed  the  nine- 
teenth anniversary  of  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  and  was  instrumental  in 
bringing  about  a  general  observance  of  the  twentieth  anniversary  by  the  people  of 
the  town.  Admission  fee,  $2.00;  annual  dues,  $1.00:  and  ladies  are  eligible  to 
membership  upon  the  payment  of  $1.00. 

Woman  Suffrage  League. — Organized  August,  1887.  Officers — Theo.  D.  Weld, 
Pres.;  Mrs.  E.  II.  Webster,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Stuart,  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Stone.  V.-Pres.; 
Miss  S.  E.  Swallow,  Sec.  and  Treas.  Number  of  members  at  organization,  26; 
present  membership,  40. 


ADDRESS 


BY    REV.    PERLEY    B.    DAVIS. 


"  This  month  shall  be  unto  you  the  beginning  of  months."     Exodus  xii.  2. 

There  come  alike  to  nations,  communities,  and  individuals, 
events  which  mark  epochs  in  their  history,  —  crises  which,  like 
moulds,  shape  their  future.  At  such  junctures  it  is  well  to 
erect,  as  least  in  memory,  monuments  toward  which  thought 
may  often  turn  with  profit.  In  an  important  sense,  such  an 
event  occurred  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  community,  when, 
by  Legislative  Act  ratified  twenty  years  ago  to-day  by  the 
Chief  Executive,  the  people  dwelling  in  contiguous  portions  of 
Dedham,  Dorchester,  and  Milton  were  incorporated  into  a  dis- 
tinct municipality,  and  the  town  of  Hyde  Park  was  to  carve  her 
own  future.  To  her  this  month  thus  became  the  beginning  of 
months.  From  the  history  and  associations  of  the  parent 
towns  —  three  .of  the  most  ancient  and  honorable  in  the 
Commonwealth  —  the  new  town  received  a  valuable  legacy, 
and  thus  had  in  a  sense  a  lineage,  which  was  in  itself  a  proph- 
ecy of  good.  A  score  of  years  having  passed,  we  are  now 
called  upon  to  furnish  a  report  of  our  progress. 

In  complying  with  the  request  of  your  committee  to  present 
on  this  occasion  a  brief  outline  of  thought,  I  premise  that  only 
in  the  most  general  way  shall  I  aim  at  a  review  of  the  past 
twenty  years.  This  is  not  designed  to  be,  with  any  minute- 
ness, an  historical  discourse.  Statistics  and  details  will  doubt- 
less be  presented  elsewhere.  They  will  not  be  attempted  here. 
It  is  mine  merely  to  point  an  index  finger,  and  seek  a  few 
suggestions  which  may  befit  this  anniversary  hour.  Allow  me 
further  to  premise  that  in  the  work  before  me  I  must,  of  course, 


79 


8o 

speak  from  my  own  point  of  view.  For  the  opinions  I  shall 
offer,  no  one  is  responsible  but  the  speaker.  I  should,  how- 
ever, fail  in  my  understanding  of  the  duty  assigned  me,  as 
well  as  be  untrue  to  myself,  if  I  did  not  state  freely  my  own 
convictions.  No  thought  I  may  express  will  be  yours  unless 
you  adopt  it. 

Let  us  note  first,  that  those  called  twenty  years  ago  to  lay 
here  the  foundation  of  a  new  town,  were  summoned  to  no  easy 
task.  People  gathered  from  three  townships  were  to  be  united 
into  one  local  government.  To  these  were  rapidly  added 
others  from  numerous  towns  and  cities  of  this  and  other 
states,  and  from  across  the  sea.  Ours  was  thus  a  community 
far  from  homogeneous.  It  was  not  to  be  expected  that  their 
interests,  much  less  their  opinions,  would  flow  easily  and  at 
once  into  the  same  channel.  Nowhere  more  than  in  the  order- 
ing of  town  affairs  does  individuality  assert  itself.  Here  every 
man  esteems  himself  the  peer  of  every  other,  and  is  his  own 
sovereign.  Those  gathered  here  were  no  exceptions  to  this. 
They  were  people  having  ideas,  and  not  afraid  to  express  them. 
Whatever  our  young  town  lacked,  it  was  not  wanting  in  self- 
reliance.  It  had  the  ardor  of  youth  ;  there  was  warm  blood  in 
its  veins.  Some  towns  in  our  Commonwealth,  older  and  doubt- 
less wiser  than  we,  looked  on,  and  with  mingled  feelings  of 
amusement  and  dismay,  saw  our  young  Samson  shake  his 
locks.  But  though  earnest  and  impetuous,  we  were  not  idiotic. 
We  had  an  end  to  reach  and  bent  towards  it.  We  had  no 
design  of  fulfilling  Carlyle's  definition  of  a  balky  horse,  —  one 
that  is  all  move,  but  no  go.  We  did  go.  Our  motion  was  for- 
ward. If  not  always  steady,  it  was  at  least  steadily  onward. 
We  are  glad  to  feel  that  we  have  lived  to  receive,  and  we  hope, 
justly  to  have  earned,  confidence  and  approval  from  some 
towns  whose  words  of  sympathy  were  at  first  not  excessive. 

Aside  from  our  enthusiasm  and  determined  spirit, —  facts  in 
themselves  of  greater  value  than  material  helps  —  few  communi- 
ties ever  entered  upon  a  career  of  self-support  with  slenderer 
appliances  than  we.     With  our    staff  we  passed    over  Jordan. 

Within  our  area  was  a  population  of  about  4,000.  There 
were  about  475  legal  voters.     There  were  460  dwellings.     The 


8i 

supply  of  public  buildings,  located  at  what  had  previously  been 
corners  of  towns,  was  of  the  very  meagerest  sort.  The  vital 
fluid  is  apt  not  to  flow  freely  to  the  extremities.  Our  first 
town  report  shows  that  what  is  now  our  High  School  building 
(since  remodelled)  and  a  small  and  very  antiquated  structure  at 
Readville  were  all  belonging  to  us  in  the  way  of  schoolhouses.* 
For  the  school  children  now  cast  upon  our  care,  and  rapidly 
increasing  by  immigration,  accommodations  had  to  be  sought 
in  halls,  private  buildings,  soldiers'  barracks,  and  wherever  an 
entrance  could  be  gained.  The  task  was  difficult.  It  was  making 
bricks  without  straw.  Well  do  I  recall  those  numerous  and 
anxious  evening  sessions  of  the  School  Board,  sometimes  pro- 
longed until  the  return  of  day,  in  which  the  attempt  was  made 
to  accomplish  what  seemed  impossible. 

Our  supply  of  church  edifices  was  no  more  ample  than  that 
of  schoolhouses.  The  Baptist  congregation  was  worshipping  in 
a  temporary  chapel.  The  edifice  of  the  Episcopal  Church  was 
already  erected,  and  is  the  only  one  dating  to  that  period. 
Other  congregations  had  places  of  assembling  in  rooms  over 
markets,  stores,  and  tinshops.  For  the  convenience  of  the 
people,  the  bell  on  the  woolen  mill  (since  burned)  was  rung  to 
note  the  hours  of  Sabbath  worship. 

In  voting,  we  went  for  years,  for  the  election  of  other  than 
local  officers,  to  the  respective  towns  from  which  we  had  been 
taken.  The  place  for  holding  our  own  elections  was  a  non- 
descript building,  which  bore  the  euphonious  name  of  Music 
Hall.  It  had  already  served  a  miscellaneous  use  in  Boston  as 
an  adjunct  to  the  Apollo  Garden,  and,  in  pieces,  had  been 
brought  to  this  place  on  wagons.  The  building  has  since  been 
removed,  but  its  memory  remains.f  It  was  an  unique  structure, 
a  remarkable  combination  of  the  grotesque,  ornamental,  and 
inconvenient.  Here  we  held  our  town  meetings,  some  of 
which  were   indeed   phenomenal.     It  is   to   be  doubted  if  any 

*It  was  afterwards  decided  that  the  small,  dilapidated,  and  then  unused  Butler  schoolhouse 
was  also  the  property  of  the  town.  This  building  was  erected  in  1N04,  and  must  rank 
among  the  oldest  schoolhouses  in  the  State.  The  frame  still  remains  unchanged,  and  with  a 
new  and  attractive  exterior  now  affords  pleasant  accommodations  for  a  primary  school. 

t  In  a  quite  altered  condition,  the  building  now  stands  on  Hyde  Park  Avenue,  near  the 
head  of  Lincoln  Street. 


82 

other  town  ever  quite  produced  their  like.  Whether  inspired 
by  the  attempts  at  classic  frescoes  on  the  wall  we  may  not  say ; 
certain  it  is,  the  oratory  was  sometimes  quite  overpowering. 
No  cradle  of  liberty  was  ever  rocked  by  more  earnest  utter- 
ances. 

Of  streets,  there  were  in  the  central  portion  of  the  town  but 
five  or  six  which  had  been  formally  accepted.  Several  others 
now  existing  had  been  roughly  drawn  ;  some  having  for  their 
pavement  stumps  and  roots  of  trees,  and  unlighted,  afforded  at 
night  a  precarious  passage.  Our  post  office  sent  away  its  mail, 
having  the  name  of  the  town  written  on  the  letters  with  a  pen. 
We  had  no  fire  department,  no  public  library,  no  board  of 
health,  no  system  of  police.  It  was  the  day  of  small  things. 
As  a  town,  we  began  our  climbing  at  the  very  bottom  of  the 
ladder. 

Scarcely  had  we  entered  upon  our  career  when  most  adverse 
circumstances  overtook  us.  The  destructive  Boston  fire  of 
1872,  followed  by  the  prolonged  depression  of  business,  was  a 
severe  ordeal.  Many  thought  it  would  inflict  on  our  new  town 
a  paralyzing  blow.  It  did  put  our  hope  and  courage  to  a  severe, 
but  not  breaking  test.  We  were  as  a  ship,  as  yet  unused  to 
sea,  called  suddenly  to  buffet  a  gale.  But  though  strained  in 
every  part,  our  untried  craft  stood  up  bravely  against  the  storm, 
and  outrode  it.  Many  individuals  suffered  severely,  and  our 
growth  was  for  a  time  materially  checked.  This  financial  disaster 
was,  however,  not  without  some  incidental  benefit.  Numerous 
houses  were  thrown  upon  the  market,  many  of  which  were  pur- 
chased by  parties  who  have  here  made  permanent  homes,  and 
are  among  our  most  valuable  citizens.  Thus  this  Red  Sea  of 
difficulty  did  not  overwhelm  us,  and  we  were  spared  to  sing  our 
song  on  the  other  side. 

From  this  brief  outlook  upon  our  town,  when  as  an  infant 
it  first  opened  its  eyes,  we  turn  to  an  equally  brief  survey  of  it, 
now  a  youth  of  twenty  years.  The  change  is  marked.  Our 
population  is  at  present  but  little  short  of  10,000.  Our  num- 
ber of  legal  voters  is  about  1,450.  The  number  of  dwellings  is 
about  1,550.  Our  six  or  seven  schoolhouses,  with  a  seating 
capacity  of  about  2,000,  are  an  honor  to  this,  as  they  would  be 


to  any,  town  in  the  Commonwealth.     Our  schools  take  a  high 
rank  in  the  state,  «and  our  corps  of  teachers   is,  much  to  our 
regret,  often  invaded  when  city  or  other   positions  are   to  be 
filled.     The  town  has  thus  far  devoted  to  school  purposes  the 
sum    of    S642.676.93,   which   is  about  two-fifths  of    its    entire 
expenditures.     Our  seven  church  edifices  are  in  appearance  and 
appointments  not  unworthy  the  sacred  name  they  bear,  and  the 
more   sacred  use    they   serve,   and  stand  essentially  unencum- 
bered by  debt  ;  while  to  an  unusual  degree  our  various  denomi- 
nations work  in  harmony  side  by  side,  knit  by  strong  bands  of 
fellowship.     We  have  a  vigorous  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation, whose  quiet  but  efficient  work  is  doing  much  to  elevate 
our  young  men  in   physical,  mental,  and   moral    culture.     We 
have    an    excellent    public   library   of    nearly    10,000   volumes, 
which,  although  its  formation  called  forth  many  willing  helpers, 
was  largely  the  achievement  of  one  of  our  honored  citizens*  (his 
name  it  ought  to  bear),  whose  benignant  face  and  silvery  locks 
still  gladden  us  to  look  upon.     We  have  societies  and  organiza- 
tions almost  innumerable,  for  the  attainment  of  social,  literary 
and  philanthropic  ends,  and  others  for  the  promotion  of  finan- 
cial gains.     We  have  a  well-equipped  fire  department  ;  a  well- 
matured  code  of  by-laws  ;  a  vigorous   board   of  health,  and  a 
system   of  police   whose  purpose   for  efficient  service  will,  we 
hope,  prove  as  ample  as   the  means   placed  at    their  disposal. 
We  have  a  postal  department,  whose  rapid  growth   has  secured 
to  us  an  office  which  is  a  credit  to  our  place,  and   inspires   us 
with  the  hope  of  the  early  privilege  of  free  delivery.     Greatly 
to  the  comfort,  and   with   wise  reference  to  the  safety  of  the 
town,  water,  and  that  of  the  purest  quality,  has   been  brought 
to   our  streets,  and   into  our  dwellings.     Our  streets,  most  of 
them,  are   excellent,  and  are  flanked  by  miles  of  curbed  and 
graded  sidewalk,  brick  or  concrete  ;  while  of  late,  gleaming  in 
the  air,  the  soft  and  brilliant  radiance  of  electric  lights   has,  in 
portions  of  our  town,  turned  night  almost  into  day.     It  is  also 
said  that,  by  an  attentive  listening,  the  ear  of  faith  —  or  fancy — 
can  already  hear  the   sound  of  horse  cars   rumbling  past  our 

*  Theodore  D.  Weld,  Esq. 


84 

doors.  A  portion  of  our  streets  are  shaded  by  graceful  trees, 
the  product  largely  of  private  taste  and  effort,  whose  success  in 
this  direction  should  stimulate  to  much  larger  private  and  public 
expenditures  to  the  same  end.  Providence  has  greatly  favored 
us  in  giving  to  our  town  a  most  desirable  situation.  Our  diversi- 
fied area  of  hills  and  vales  affords  a  landscape  whose  variety 
and  beauty  are  seldom  equaled.  Ours  also,  to  a  remarkable 
degree,  is  a  healthful  location.  No  prevailing  epidemic  has 
visited  us,  and  the  rate  of  our  mortality  is  small. 

I  need  not  say  that  energy  and  enterprise  have  characterized 
our  community.  We  have  far  more  internal  vitality  than  per- 
tains to  most  towns  so  near  a  great  metropolis.  We  are  some- 
thing more  than  a  mere  sleeping-room  to  Boston.  Our  manu- 
factures, of  various  kinds,  have  been  from  the  first,  and  are 
more  and  more  becoming,  an  important  factor  in  our  prosperity 
and  growth.  Some  of  our  manufacturing  buildings  are,  in 
structure  and  appointments,  as  well  as  in  the  aspect  of  neat- 
ness they  and  their  surroundings  bear,  models  worthy  of  study 
and  imitation.  A  pleasant  feature,  noticeable  especially  of  late, 
is  the  endeavor  widely  prevalent  to  gather  about  our  homes  the 
appearance  and  appliances  of  taste  and  comfort.  This  aim  cannot 
be  too  assiduously  cultivated.  A  community  is  gauged  as  in  no 
other  way  by  the  quality  of  its  homes.  Whatever  elevates  these 
lifts  society,  and  enriches  and  purifies  life  in  every  part.  Your 
speaker  has  often  been  glad  to  welcome  strangers  to  our  town, 
conduct  them  along  our  streets,  bid  them  note  our  natural  and 
acquired  attractions,  and  from  the  heights  which  overlook  our 
village  point  out  to  them  the  results  achieved  during  this  score 
of  years.  When  —  and  may  the  time  be  hastened  —  upon  our 
principal  business  street  a  better  class  of  mercantile  buildings 
shall  prevail,  and  these  be  supplemented  by  an  attractive  and 
commodious  hall,  our  satisfaction  in  drawing  attention  to  the 
growth  and  enterprise  of  our  town  will  be  materially  enhanced. 

I  have  said  that  homes  and  morals  are  closely  related.  I 
think  the  morality  of  our  community  bears  favorable  compari- 
son with  almost  any  town  in  the  Commonwealth.  I  am  glad  to 
be  informed  that  Hyde  Park  affords  far  fewer  cases  at  the 
county     court     than     other     places     of     corresponding     size. 


85 

When  our  town  was  founded  there  was  a  deep-seated  purpose 
to  create  a  public  Sentiment  and  inaugurate  a  policy  respecting 
temperance,  which  should  give  to  the  town  on  this  subject  a 
pronounced  attitude.  This  attitude  has  been  maintained. 
From  the  first,  with  a  single  exception,  our  vote  has  been  for 
prohibition  ;  and  never  before  by  so  large  a  majority  as  at  the 
last  election.*  Our  town  has  also  the  high  distinction  that  from 
us  has  arisen  a  temperance  reformer!  of  more  than  national 
repute  ;  through  whose  agency,  mainly,  a  majority  of  those 
who  at  the  end  of  another  twenty  years  will,  by  their  votes, 
rule  this  country,  are  receiving  in  the  public  schools  the 
latest  inculcation  of  science  as  to  alcoholics  and  narcotics. 
This  success  Joseph  Cook  declares  to  be  an  "  eighth  wonder 
of  the  world."  We  may,  therefore,  well  be  glad  that  our 
temperance  record  and  influence  have  been  so  good  and  so  wide. 
Let  us  not,  however,  in  the  least  abate  our  zeal  or  remit  our 
efforts.  Let  us  by  all  means  seek  to  combine  our  strength 
against  a  united  foe,  and  take  especial  care  that  by  no  divisive 
measures  or  specious  arguments  those  who  should  be  co-laborers 
are  drawn  apart,  leading  to  the  result  that  they  who  are  willing 
to  lower  the  temperance  standard  are  elected  to  places  of  official 
influence,  gaining  their  victory  because  the  friends  of  temper- 
ance stand  in  disunited  ranks.  It  is  the  policy  of  our  enemy 
to  divide  our  forces  while  they  mass  their  own.  Let  it  not  be 
ours  to  be  less  sagacious  than  they. 

I  have  elsewhere  implied  that  education  was  fundamental  in 
the  thought  of  the  founders  of  the  town.  For  this  they  sought  to 
provide  the  amplest  opportunities  possible.  They  felt  that  the 
child  of  to-day  was  the  citizen  of  to-morrow  ;  that  the  school- 
house  of  to-day  was  the  townhouse,  legislature,  and  courthouse 
of  the  future.  To  this  purpose  the  town  has  steadily  adhered, 
and  there  is  doubtless  no  danger  that  from  this  it  will  ever 
depart.  To  the  question  now  somewhat  discussed,  Has  the 
state  the  right  to  share  in  the  education  of  her  future  citizens  ? 
there  can  be  in  America  but  one  answer  :  Who,  if  not  she,  has 


*The  vote  for  no  license  \va>  663  ;  the  vote  for  license  was  267. 
fMrs.  Mary  II.   Hunt. 


86 

vital  interest  in  the  training  of  those  who  are  soon  to  be  her 
blood  and  sinew  ?  This  truth  of  the  state's  essential  connec- 
tion with  education  was  brought  to  these  shores  in  the  May- 
flower, and  is  as  firmly  imbedded  in  our  minds  as  is  the  granite 
in  our  hills.  From  every  schoolhouse  in  every  hamlet  comes 
a  voice  that  to  the  state  belongs  both  the  duty  and  the  right, 
the  obligation  and  the  privilege,  to  provide  for  every  child  such 
an  education  as  shall  fit  him  for  his  place  as  an  American  citi- 
zen. That  phrase,  American  citizen,  bears  to  our  ears  a 
deeper,  sweeter  meaning  than  the  words,  Roman  citizen,  bore  in 
the  land  of  the  Caesars.  For  its  definition  we  go  not  back  to 
the  15th  century,  nor  do  we  ask  of  monarchies  or  inquire  of 
ecclesiastical  hierarchies.  The  phrase  is  indigenous  to  this 
soil.  Its  birthplace  is  in  this  "  Land  of  the  free,  and  home  of 
the  brave."  The  parent,  the  church,  and  the  state  are  to  the 
child  not  rival,  but  co-operative,  educators.  Neither  can 
remit  its  part,  nor  take  away  from  another  its  own.  Macaulay's 
words  are,  "  The  education  of  the  people  should  be  the  first 
concern  of  the  state."  This  is  England's  thought.  Germany 
has  it  as  a  fundamental  principle  that  what  is  to  be  in  the 
nation  must  be  taught  in  the  school.  Has  our  Republic  less 
vital  interest  in  education  than  these  monarchies  ?  The  period 
of  school  life  ends  with  many  at  the  age  of  twelve  or  fourteen 
years.  The  duty  of  the  state  to  share  in  this  early  education 
of  those  who  are  soon  to  be  parts  of  herself  appears  from  two 
considerations  : 

First,  the  state  is  bound  to  provide  the  best  for  all  her 
patrons,  present  and  prospective.  Now,  all  experience  demon- 
strates that  for  the  masses  the  public  schools  are  the  best ; 
that  there  a  higher  knowledge,  a  broader  outlook,  a  wider 
acquaintance  with  the  nation  and  the  world,  and  hence  a  loftier 
manhood,  can  be  gained  than  is  possible  in  sequestered  nooks, 
where,  isolated,  withdrawn  from  their  future  companions  in  the 
race  of  life, —  their  comrades  in  life's  battle, —  deprived  of 
the  stimulus  and  inspiration  born  of  contact  with  their 
fellows,  they  are  expected  to  develop  like  plants  hidden  from 
the  sun.  Happily,  most  parents  in  this  respect,  as  in  others, 
desire  for  their  children  the  best,  and  are  not  willing  to  have 


87 

it  denied  them.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  state  to  see  that  they  are 
protected  in  the 'full  possession  and  enjoyment  of  this  their 
right  and  privilege. 

Secondly,  the  state  owes  it  to  herself,  to  her  own  well-being, 
to  educate  those  whom  she  is  about  to  absorb  within  her  own 
body.  This  right  is  inherent,  and  cannot  be  surrendered.  In 
our  schools  are  those  who,  in  a  few  years,  are  to  make  and 
administer  our  laws  ;  those  who  are  to  be  among  the  mayors  of 
our  cities,  the  governors  of  our  states,  and  the  judges  in  our 
courts.  It  is  self-evident  that  those  who  are  thus  to  be  partici- 
pants in  all  branches  of  American  government  should  first  be 
trained  in  American  ideas.  Not  to  do  this  is  to  rely  for  our 
future  dependence  upon  a  nerveless  arm,  or  else  one  in  which 
has  been  placed  a  dangerous  weapon.  America,  in  the  spirit 
and  method  of  her  government  and  institutions,  must  be 
directed  by  Americans  ;  not  necessarily  those  whose  bodies  are 
born  upon  our  shores,  but  those  whose  souls  are  infused  with 
American  ideas.  If  ever  a  voice  is  heard  contrary  to  this,  you 
may  know  it  is  not  American.  It  is  a  stranger  among  us.  Its 
speech  betrayeth  it.  It  is  here  to  graft  an  alien  scion  on  our 
stock  ;  to  plant  a  foreign  seed  within  our  soil.  It  is  neither 
of  America,  nor  from  America,  and  should  not  be  heeded  in 
America.  It  is  not  strange,  however,  inasmuch  as  from  the 
first  our  public  schools  have  been  among  the  most  potent 
agencies  for  instilling  American  ideas  into  the  nation's  life, 
that  those  who  would  ////-Americanize  our  youth  should  aim  at 
the  subversion  of  our  system  of  public  instruction.  Is 
America  ready  to  yield  to  this  ? 

But  if  the  state,  through  her  schools,  would  give  to  her  future 
citizens  the  best,  and  best  protect  herself,  she  must  make  her 
schools  the  best.  To  this  end  something  must  be  provided  for 
the  heart  as  well  as  the  head.  There  is  no  danger  to  our 
country  so  great  as  lack  of  conscience,  issuing  in  a  low  stand- 
ard of  morals.  When  morality  is  gone  the  nation  perishes. 
Therefore,  in  our  public  schools  there  should  be  correct  moral, 
as  well  as  secular  instruction.  The  Bible  is  the  highest 
standard  of  morality.  Hence  the  Bible,  now  too  much  ignored, 
must  be  given  a  prominent  place,  and  from  its  imperial  throne 


88 

be  allowed  to  proclaim  its  broad,  benign,  unsectarian  truths. 
Those  were  wise  words  of  Germany's  new-crowned  Emperor, 
sent  by  him  throughout  his  wide  domain  :  "  Only  a  generation 
growing  up  upon  a  sound  basis,  in  the  fear  of  God  and  in  sound 
morals,"  can  endure.  That  from  one  of  Europe's  strongest 
thrones !  On  this  basis  our  fathers  founded  this  Republic. 
Remove  this  basis  and  the  noble  fabric  they  builded  crumbles. 
Let  us  beware  of  any  seductive  arguments  or  efforts  which 
would  seek  to  eject  the  Bible  from  our  public  schools,  thus 
making  them  practically  Godless,  and  then  condemn  them 
because  they  are  such. 

Well  do  I  remember  the  organizing  of  our  first  school  board. 
It  was  in  the  study  of  the  speaker.  Reverently  we  kneeled, 
while  one  —  still  with  us  —  lifted  his  voice  and  all  our  hearts 
in  fervent  prayer  that  God's  blessing  might  rest  upon  the 
present  and  all  the  future  interests  of  our  schools.  Shall  I  not 
be  pardoned,  if,  out  of  a  full  heart,  I  express  an  earnest  desire 
that  that  prayer  be  answered  ?  As  sure  as  God  is  God  His 
blessing  is  the  beginning  and  the  ending  of  all  true  success, 
and  the  entrance  of  His  words  giveth  light  and  understanding. 
To  Him  and  to  His  words,  then,  let  us  cling, — "  That  our  sons 
may  be  as  plants  grown  up  in  their  youth  ;  that  our  daughters 
may  be  as  corner-stones,  polished  after  the  similitude  of  a 
palace.  Happy  is  that  people  that  is  in  such  a  case  ;  yea, 
happy  is  that  people  whose  God  is  the  Lord." 

Such,  in  brief,  fellow-citizens,  are  some  of  the  objects  my  eye 
rests  upon  as  I  look  upon  the  past  and  present  of  our  town. 
The  review  is  instructive.  It  is  also  stimulating.  To-day  our 
record  of  twenty  years  closes.  A  new  page  now  opens  to  us. 
We  have  accomplished  much.  Much  remains  to  be  accom- 
plished, and  the  chief  value  of  this  memorial  season  is  its 
influence  on  the  future.  An  important  work  remains  to  us  in 
what  we  have  to  do  among  and  for  ourselves  in  improving  our 
homes,  and  developing  our  own  social  and  public  life.  A  no 
less  important  work  awaits  us  in  the  wider  relations  we  sustain 
to  the  state  and  nation  of  which  we  are  a  portion.  In  moulding 
the  nation's  future  each  town  is  to  share  an  important  part. 
The  nation  is  but  the  town  enlarged.     Our  Republic  has  not 


89 

passed  its  period  of  probation.  It  is  to  be  doubted  if  it  has 
yet  reached  its  moist  crucial  hour.  Numerous  critical  problems 
lie  before  us  unsolved.  It  cannot  be  denied  that  dangerous 
forces  are  actively  and  widely  working.  Conflicting  elements 
are  marshalling  on  many  fields.  The  spirit  of  discontent  is 
broadly  rife.  Illiteracy,  superstition,  anarchy,  passion,  joined 
with  cunning  craft,  are,  with  ghastly  hand,  feeling  for  the 
nation's  life,  aiming  to  destroy  it,  or  poison  it  at  its  core.  The 
sounds  we  sometimes  hear  are  like  the  muttering  of  the  sea 
about  to  be  smitten  by  the  blast.  The  storm  signals  already 
set  are  fluttering  in  the  breeze.  It  is  at  a  time  like  this  our 
young  town,  athletic  in  its  early  manhood  of  a  score  of  years, 
moves  out  upon  the  arena  and  takes  its  stand.  Its  loins  are 
girded,  and  its  spirit  brave.  It  is  ready  for  action.  In  the 
past  our  town  has  not  been  afraid  to  be  a  pioneer,  a  leader  in 
thought  and  deed.  The  time  has  not  gone  by  when  the  call 
will  cease  for  those  who  are  willing  to  stand  in  the  front, 
perhaps  at  cost  and  sacrifice.  Shall  we  be  ready  to  heed  the 
summons,  and,  firm  in  principle  and  obedient  to  duty,  act  well 
our  part  in  an  age  when  the  nation  and  the  world  wants  heroes  ? 
We  hold  up  the  lamp  of  our  past  history  that  it  may  cast  its 
rays  forward.  We  study  the  way  we  have  thus  far  come  that 
we  may  advance  the  better,  with  firmer  tread,  larger  faith,  and 
loftier  aim.  As  the  traveller  among  the  Alps  often  in  his  climb- 
ing finds,  in  sheltered  nooks,  grottoes,  where  he  may  rest  awhile 
and  refresh  himself  with  honey  from  snow-fed  flowers,  and 
milk  fresh  from  the  peasant's  flock ;  till,  his  eye  having  retraced 
the  already  finished  journey,  and  surveyed  the  now  widening 
landscape,  he,  strengthened  and  cheered  by  the  prospect,  again 
seizes  his  Alpine  stock,  and  with  elastic  step  pursues  his  way 
toward  loftier  heights  and  broader  visions  ;  so  we  tarry  for  an 
hour,  that  by  the  review  of  the  past  and  the  survey  of  the 
present  we  may  gain  fresh  courage  and  inspiration  for  our 
further  pilgrimage. 

We  are  grateful  that  as  a  town  we  have  been  able  to  do  so 
much  and  so  well.  We  recognize  a  beneficent  Hand  that  has  thus 
far  guided  us.  Therefore,  to  express  our  gratitude  do  we  set  up 
in  the  way  our  "  stone  of  help,"  and  inscribe  thereon,  "Hitherto 


9o 

hath  the  Lord  helped  us."  Still  seeking  Divine  assistance  we 
intend  to  be  true  to  the  motto  of  our  town,  Si  tent  as  perfice —  If 
you  begin,  finish.  It  is  not  claimed  that  no  mistakes  have 
entered  into  our  past  record.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  a 
broader  and  more  generous  policy  did  not  in  some  respects 
earlier  display  itself  in  the  planning  and  pioneering  of  our  town. 
In  certain  other  respects  a  better  studied  and  more  conservative 
procedure  at  times  would  doubtless  have  saved  us  some  embar- 
rassments, financial  and  otherwise.  There  is  wisdom  in  the 
adage,  "  Too  swift  arrives  as  tardy  as  too  slow."  It  is  never  well 
for  Icarus  with  wings  of  wax  to  soar  too  near  the  sun.  The 
way,  however,  to  retrieve  an  error  is  first  to  discover  it,  and  at 
every  turn  at  which  we  have  been  led  amiss  let  us  erect  a  warn- 
ing pillar,  as  did  Bunyan's  pilgrim  at  the  stile  over  which  his 
feet  strayed  into  By-Path  Meadow.  As  to  sectional  jealousies, 
prejudice  in  judging  private  or  official  acts,  methods  affecting 
our  individual,  social,  or  public  transactions,  which  tend  to  blem- 
ish the  fair  reputation  of  our  town  —  let  none  of  these  be  so 
much  as  named  among  us.  From  our  own  experience  and  the 
observation  we  have  had  of  other  towns,  we  may,  I  think,  learn 
some  lessons  of  profit,  among  them  these  : 

That  towns  as  well  as  persons  have  an  individuality,  some- 
thing which  marks  them  as  superior  or  inferior  to  others  ;  that 
to  a  town  it  is  a  great  advantage  to  have  a  good  name  ;  that  a 
town  will  be  essentially  what  the  individuals  are  who  compose 
it  ;  that  in  discharging  one's  duties  as  a  citizen  there  is  need  of 
much  wisdom  and  large  charity,  and  that  it  is  no  sure  sign 
one  is  a  knave  or  an  imbecile  if  he  does  not  agree  with  us  ;  that 
in  public  as  well  as  private,  abuse  is  far  less  effective  than  argu- 
ment, and  generally  indicates  fewer  brains  and  an  inferior  man- 
hood ;  that  in  one's  relation  to  town  affairs  as  well  as  else- 
where, honor  is  a  jewel  of  priceless  worth,  and  when  once  lost  is 
hard  to  be  regained  ;  that  manliness  may  be  sacrificed  at  the 
ballot  box,  and  whenever  bartered  there  is  always  sold  cheap  ; 
that  true  public  spirit  is  a  willingness  to  serve  others, 
not  a  scheming  to  be  served  by  others,  and  hence  that  public 
offices  are  not  to  be  sought  for  private  ends  ;  that  caucuses 
and  town  meetings  are  often   places  where  masks  are  thrown 


91 

off,  and  hence  become  remarkable  revealers  of  real  character  ; 
that  victory,  whenever  gained  unjustly,  is  worse  than  defeat, 
and  that  a  chaplet  unfairly  won  is  apt  to  turn  to  a  crown  of 
thorns  ;  that  a  good  name  is  of  more  value  than  great  riches  ; 
that  integrity  of  character  and  uprightness  of  life  are  of  su- 
preme worth,  bringing  their  own  sure  and  permanent  reward; 
and  that  the  best  record  one  can  leave  behind  is  that  he  did 
justly,  loved  mercy,  and  walked  humbly  with  his  God. 

Of  those  who  aided  in  laying  the  foundation  of  our  town, 
some  of  sainted  memory,  crowned  with  years  and  full  of  honors, 
now  rest  from  their  labors  and  their  works  do  follow  them. 
In  a  few  more  years  all  who  saw  the  beginning  of  our  town  will 
have  passed  away.  Instead  of  the  fathers  will  be  the  children. 
When  we  shall  have  rendered  our  last  service,  and  others  shall 
build  on  our  foundation,  may  they,  however  loftily  their  walls 
shall  rise,  take  care  so  to  rear  their  structure  that  it  shall  abide 
when  judgment  is  laid  to  the  line  and  righteousness  to  the 
plummet.  And  if  eventually  a  city  shall  stretch  beside  these 
streams  and  along  these  pleasant  hillsides,  may  it  come  to  pass 
that  both  we  who  wrought  at  the  foundation,  and  they  who 
bring  forth  the  topmost  stone,  shall  each,  at  length,  be  wel- 
comed by  Christ  Himself,  with  the  words,  "  Well  done,"  into 
that  city  He  hath  builded,  whose  walls  are  jasper  and  whose 
gates  are  pearl. 


ADDRESS, 


BY   REV.   RICHARD   |.   BARRY. 


[Substantially  as  follows  :] 

Each  Sunday  we  assemble  here  before  the  altars  of  our  God 
to  renew  our  fealty  of  affectionate  love  and  to  invoke  the 
Divine  assistance.  "  Piety  is  useful  for  all  things."  It  teaches 
a  man  to  love  God  and  his  country.  After  father  and  mother, 
the  land  and  people  among  whom  we  live  ought  to  be  the 
objects  of  our  dearest  solicitude.  It  is,  then,  in  words  of  con- 
gratulation, words  of  joy,  words  of  exultation,  that  I  would 
speak  to-day  on  this  festival  of  our  beautiful  town.  The 
sacred  edifice,  where  we  are  assembled,  reminds  us  of  out- 
duties  to  God.  But  words  of  good  will  and  brotherly  love  are 
part  of  religion.  By  the  providence  of  God  we  are  citizens  of 
one  common  country,  children  of  one  common  Fatherland,  and 
our  townspeople  are  our  kindred.  Their  happiness,  their  pros- 
perity, their  peace,  their  welfare,  their  defense  should  be  the 
object  of  our  most  sincere  and  self-sacrificing  devotion.  We 
are  as  one  family,  as  passengers  in  the  same  steamer, — all  have 
a  common  interest,  all  are  alike  in  safety  or  in  peril.  There- 
fore what  concerns  our  town  is  to  us  an  object  of  piety. 
Loyalty  to  God  and  patriotism  walk  hand  in  hand.  Such  is 
the  doctrine  of  the  church,  and  if  we  take  part  in  the  celebra- 
tion it  is  not  from  self-interest,  it  is  not  because  it  chimes  in 
with  public  opinion,  but  because  it  is  a  duty  and  tribute  of 
piety. 

We  read  the  history  of  Hyde  Park  in  the  happy,  peaceful 
homes  of  the  people,  in  its  noble  enterprises,  its  charitable 
and   manufacturing   institutions,    all    manifesting    a    wondrous 


94 

growth,  all  illustrating  the  enlightenment  of  the  people,  all 
pointing  to  a  brilliant  future,  all  manifesting  the  mercy  and 
fidelity  of  God  to  His  people.  It  is  edifying  to  see  a  people  turn 
reverently  to  God  in  thanksgiving,  invoking  the  co-operation 
of  the  Almighty  for  the  future  prosperity  of  their  commun- 
ity ;  for  "  Unless  the  Lord  build  the  house,  in  vain  do  they 
labor  that  built  it."  We  take  a  genuine  pride  in  our  town,  we 
are  interested  in  its  welfare,  and  we  shall  always  endeavor  to 
uphold  its  honor  and  good  name.  This  temple  is  erected  to  the 
honor  and  service  of  Almighty  God.  In  its  grandeur  and 
beauty  it  stands  as  a  monument  of  the  generosity  of  this  com- 
munity. Rich  and  poor  are  alike  here.  But  it  is  especially  the 
poor  who  find  comfort  here  after  their  days  of  hardship  and  toil  ; 
it  is  their  opera  house,  their  resting  place.  Here  they  find  true 
rest  of  heart  and  courage  to  continue  the  battle  of  life. 

In  speaking  of  this  edifice,  I  would  say  that  it  has  been  built 
mainly  out  of  the  pennies  of  the  poor  ;  but  I  cannot  allow  this 
happy  occasion  to  pass  without  publicly  thanking  those,  not  of 
my  faith,  who  have  been  generous  in  word  and  deed.  This 
congregation  owes  a  deep  debt  of  gratitude  to  Mr.  Robert 
Bleakie,  who  from  first  to  last  stood  ready  to  make  any  sacrifice 
to  assist  us.  Less  than  this  I  cannot  say  in  justice  to  this 
generous  hearted  gentleman,  and  more  than  this  I  might  easily 
add  in  truth,  but  I  know  that  his  deeds  were  all  done  to  help  the 
people  and  not  to  win  praise  from  men.  (The  speaker  then 
went  on  to  trace  the  associations  connecting  the  church  with 
the  history  of  the  town  and  with  the  history  of  the  country.) 

The  church  is  at  home  in  every  time  and  place,  in  every  class 
of  the  community,  in  every  stage  of  cultivation.  She  has 
always  a  work  to  do,  a  harvest  to  reap.  The  Catholic  Church 
is  the  oldest  and  best  tried  institution  in  the  world.  That 
ancient  church  has  accompanied  society  through  nearly  nine- 
teen centuries.  She  has  had  trial  of  east  and  west,  of 
monarchy  and  democracy,  of  slaves  and  freemen,  of  marts  of 
commerce  and  centres  of  manufacture,  of  old  countries  and 
young,  of  cities  and  towns. 

The  Catholic  Church  came  to  America  with  Columbus.  She 
has  accompanied  America  through  her  four  hundred  years  of 


95 

history.  She  has  been  in  this  country  from  the  very  dawn  of  the 
morning.  She  spread  her  tent  here  in  the  earliest  days  of  the 
town's  history  and  she  has  grown  with  the  development  of  the 
community.  Her  influence  will  always  be  felt  on  the  side  of 
liberty,  manhood,  and  truth.  She  will  fulfil  her  heavenly  mission 
to  the  end.  Many  think  that  the  church  aims  at  ostentation  and 
effect.  She  must  be  splendid,  majestic,  influential  ;  fine 
services,  music,  courtesy.  These  they  fancy  are  weapons  of  the 
church.  Well,  the  church  cannot  help  being  strong  and 
beautiful ;  it  is  her  gift  from  God.  But  this  is  not  her  aim. 
She  goes  forth  on  one  errand.  She  is  sent  to  heal  the 
diseases  of  the  soul,  to  chasten  the  hearts  of  men  because  "  out 
of  the  heart  proceed  evil  thoughts,  thefts,  false  testimonies,  blas- 
phemies. These  are  the  things  that  defile  a  man."  The  church 
has  a  real,  earnest  work  to  do,  and  she  holds  that  it  were  better 
for  sun  and  moon  to  drop  from  heaven  than  that  a  soul  should 
offend  God  by  even  telling  one  deliberate  falsehood.  Her 
enemy  is  sin. 

The  history  of  ages  testifies  that  the  church  has  been  the 
source  and  cause  of  numberless  temporal  blessings  to  the  world. 
These,  however,  she  does  not  promise.  She  is  in  the  world  to 
save  souls — to  warn  the  proud — to  be  the  solace  of  the  forlorn, 
and  the  guide  of  the  wayward.  In  her  fold  all  men  are  equal. 
And  her  mission  is  to  labor  for  the  moral  elevation  of  the  world. 
In  the  fulfilment  of  her  design  she  asks  no  civil  aid.  She  seeks 
no  state  patronage.  All  the  church  wants  is  an  open  field  and 
freedom  to  act.  She  will  teach  her  children  to  be  faithful  to 
God  and  true  to  society.  (Speaking  more  directly  to  Catholics, 
he  said  :)  Let  each  one  stand  on  his  own  ground,  let  each  approve 
himself  in  his  own  district.  Your  mission  is  to  be  good  Chris- 
tians and  good  citizens — to  edify  men  by  leading  exemplary 
lives.  We  live  in  a  thriving,  growing  town.  Grow  it  must  ; 
you  cannot  stop  it.  It  will  be  the  mission  of  the  church  to  see 
that  the  moral  development  keeps  pace  with  the  material 
extension.     (In  concluding  he  said  :) 

May  the  blessing  of  Almighty  God  descend  upon  this 
fair  town,  making  its  homes  sacred  and  refined,  the  manners  of 
the  people    Christian    and    courteous,    its    citizens    united    and 


96 

contented,  and  all  patriotic  and  happy.  May  religion  be  in 
honor ;  teaching  morality,  temperance,  and  brotherly  love,  and 
illumining  the  dreary,  weary  ways  of  common  life  with  the 
hopes  and  the  radiance  of  a  better  world.     Amen. 

(The  decorations  of  the  church  were  elaborate,  the  music  of 
the  finest  order,  and  the  whole  service  a  credit  to  the  society 
and  an  illustration  of  the  elevated  taste  of  the  people  of  Hyde 
Park.) 


IT  IS  NOT  A  VERY  LONG  TIME  since  two  citizens 
of  Hyde  Park  drew  the  First  and  Second  Prizes  for 
obtaining  the  largest  list  of  subscribers  for  a  certain  pub- 
lication.    Here  is  another  chance  : 

$100  CASH  PRESENT 

To  the  agent  who  secures  the  most  subscribers 
to  THE  RAMBLER  before  Jane  15,  1888.  Presents 
$50  to  second  and  N'2.>  to  third  largest.  Extra:  — 
A  present  of  s.>  for  every  50  subscribers  besides. 
THE  RAMRLER  is  elegantly  printed  on  beautiful 
calendered  paper,  finely  illustrated,  choice  reading. 
Subscription  price  50  cents  a  year.  '2.>  cents  coin- 
mission  to  all  Agents  in  addition  to  all  of  above 
extras.  We  are  bound  to  add  100,000  subscribers 
to  our  large  list,  and  we  are  more  thau  liberal. 
Surely  you  will  not  pass  this  by. 
Fp  p  p  Agents*  Out  fit  to  all  readers  of  this 
P  lY  C  C  paper.  Write  to  us  now  for  sample 
RAMBLER  and  our  grand  inducements  for  .von  to 
act  for  us  in  your  locality.  All  Offers  are  genuine 
and  backed   by  solid,   honorable  men. 

THE  RAMBLER,  New  London,   Conn. 

Who  knows  but  what  the  Leading  Prizes  may  come 
again  to  Hyde  Park  or  some  neighboring  village. 

The  publishers  of  THE  RAMBLER  desire  to  have  all 
of  our  citizens  enrolled  on  their  subscription  list  ;  and  they 
herewith  make  very  special  inducements  for  a  few  live  agents 
in  this  section. 

If  you  read  this  advertisement  in  the  fall  of  '88,  spring 
of  '89,  or  any  other  time  after  the  expiration  of  above  offer, 
write  to  THE  RAMBLER;  the  publishers  have  an  eye  to 
business,  and  they  always  will  have  some  grand  inducements 
for  you  either  as  a  subscriber  or  agent. 
Write  at  once. 

THE    RAMBLER, 

NEW    LONDON,    CONN. 


Qlobe  Letter  Filing  Gabinets, 


j&^ 


1  - 

S  CO 

C\|  cu 

&J.  co 


^T 


->^ 


o  ^  =■ 

>  5.  5. 

r  o  J 

r  <*»  0 


z  5?  3 


co  w 

■    3  2. 


t 


ALL  SIZES  FROM   6  TO   75   FILES 


William  W.  Edwards, 


THE  GLOBE  COMPANY 


Selling  Agent. 


J  66  Devonshire  St.,  Boston. 


HAMMOND  TYPE  WRITER. 


Price  Machine,  with  two  type  wheels,  $100.00. 


SEND      FOR 

"What  Roll<s  Say  of  trie  Hammond  Type  Writer." 


THE  HAMMOND  TYPE  WRITER  CO., 

300      iAiHSHINGTON      STR6GT,      BOSTON,     MHSS. 


YOU    CAN    GET    THE 

BEST. 


BOOTS, 


SHOES 


RUBBERS 

For  the  Least  Money  in  Town,  at 

sokes', 

9   Fairmount    Avenue, 

HYDE  PARK,  MASS. 
No  trouble  to  show  goods. 


Established  in  Hyde  Park  in   1  865. 


MARK  E.  N0BLE; 

Druggist>o 


v^ 


Apothecary, 


HYDE  PARK 

Co-Operative  Bank, 

HYDE  PARK,  MASS. 

(Organized  under  Chapter  224  of  the  Acts  of  1877, 
Approved  May  14,  1877.) 

Organized  March  17,  1886. 

Chartered  March  26,  1886. 

Began  Business  May  5,   1S86. 

Authorized  Capital  $1,000,000. 
Andrew  Washburn,  President. 
Richard  M.  Johnson, Vice  President. 
Thomas  E.   Faunce,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

DIRECTORS. 

lames  D.  McAvoy,  Alonzo  H.  Richardson,  George 
L.  Stocking,  David  W.  Lewis,  George  Miles,  Rich- 
ard J.  Sullivan,  Eli  B.  Tasker,  Edward  W.  Cross, 
Henry  F.  Arnold,  Hiram  J.  Townsend,  Geo.  Hall. 

AUDITORS. 

Galen  L.  Stone,  Fred  L.  Johnson,  Charles  F. 
Morrison. 

Attorney  ;     Charles  F.  Jenney. 

Office,  Everett  Sq.,cor.  Central  Avenue. 

OFFICE  HOURS: 

9  to  12  and  2  to  5  Daily:  and  first 
Wednesdays,  2  to  5  <&  7.30  to  9  P.  M. 

Monthly  meetings  are  held  on  First  Wednesday 
Evenings. 


Cotter  &  Jenney, 
Counsellors  at  Law, 

19  &  20  Rogers  Building, 


209  Washington  Street,  .  .  .    Boston. 
Charles  F.  Tbnne\  . 


1    NEPONSET    Block. 


HYDE  PARK,  MASS. 


BLAKE  &  RIPLEY, 

Commission  Merchants, 


AND    DBALERS    IN 


Foreio  and  Domestic  Fruits 


i 

AGENTS  FOR 

CALIFORNIA  FRUIT  UNION, 

J.  C.  HOUGHTON  &  CO.,  Liverpool,  Eng., 

FLORIDA     FRUIT    EXCHANGE, 

THE  FRANK  BROS.  CO.,  NEW  YORK. 


57    CHATHAM    ST., 


BOSTON 


E.  E.  BLAKE. 


F.   L.  RIPLEY. 


HENRY  S.  BUMM 

INSURANCE. 


REPRESENTING 

Royal  Insurance  Co, 

Of  Liverpool. 

London   &  Lancashire  Fire   Ins.  Co, 

Of  Liverpool. 

Pennsylvania  Fire  Ins,  Co. 

Of  Philadelphia. 


Notary  Public  for  Norfolk  County. 


Do  not  be  Deceived 


Misrepresentation. 

Buy    your  BREAD,   CAKE,   and    PASTRY   at 

64  FAIRMOUNT  AVE. 

Having  leased  the  Bakery  formerly  occupied  by 
Simon  Weisbrod,  I  shall  keep  all  kinds  of 

BREMD,— 


-PHSTRY, 

Also  CRACKERS  of  all  kinds 
On  hand  and  to  order. 

ICE  CREAM  TO  ORDER  IN  THE  SEASON. 

By  the  Quart  or  Gallon. 

Wedding  Cake  a  Specialty. 

Hot  Brown  Bread  and  Beans  Sunday  Morning. 


Thanking  the  people  of  Hyde  Park  and  vicinity 
for  their  patronage  in  the  past,    I  hope,   by   strict 
attention  to  business  and  keeping  the  best  of  stock, 
to  merit  a  continuance  of  their  support. 
Respectfully, 

E.  H.   COOLD. 


Edmund   Davis, 

Counsellor  at  Law, 

Conveyancer  and  Examiner  of  Titles. 


Special  Attention  given  to  Prac- 
tice, in  Probate  and   Equity 
Courts,  and  to   the    Set- 
tlement of  Estates  of 
Deceased  Persons. 


OFFICE  : 


EVERETT  BLOCK!  Rooms  2  and  3  Bank  Building, 


HYDE   PARK. 


HYDE   PARK. 


S.  B.  BALKAM. 


WM.  H.  HAKLOW. 


S.   B.  BALKAM    &  CO., 

Lumber,  Coal,  Wool,  Lime,  Cement. 

Brick,  Drain  Pipe,  Nails,  &c. 


Yard  and  Office :  Cor.  Pierce  and  West  Streets. 

Office :  Fourth  door  south  of  N.  Y.  &  N.  E.  Depot. 


ORDERS  RECEIVED  AT  PI  TNAM  WORDEN'S  &  C.  L.  ALDEN  &  CO.'S  STORES. 

CORTICBLLI  WASH  SIL 

1 

RUBBER  HOSE 

FOR 

[C.MItllU  «*SH  SILK       j  "Q0     II                                *^lil>1ILL^rM1^^^^S| 

Garden,  Lawn,    Stable  Use, 

Prepared   expressly   for  Art-needle-          ||| 

ALSO 

work  on  materials  which  require  wash-           fi| 

THE  RUBBER  LINED  COTTON  HOSE. 

Colors  warranted  not  to  "run,"  or           jgjf 



to  injure  in  any  way  the  most  delicate           H 

HOSE  KEELS.  NOZZLES,  FOUNTAINS, 

fabrics  by  using  Castile  soap  and  warm            |B 

COUPLINGS,  &c,  &C,  AT 

water,                                                               |||[K 

BOTTOM  PRICES. 

Sold  in  three  grades:  (1)  EE,  coarse,          Bfi 

for  extra  heavy  outline  work,  or  solid 

FOB    SALE    IN    HYDE    PARK 

embroidery.  Ten-yard  skeins ;  (2)  No.           «B 

500,  medium,  for  ordinary  outline  work           1§§ 

the 

or  etching.   Ten-yard  skeins;  (3)  Floss           WL 

STOVE     AND     HARDWARE     DEALERS. 

ttmes called  i                    1  ne  size         gflflk 

oi  high  lustre,  sold  only  on  spools  ow-         *w  1* ' 

ing  to  its  slack  twist  and  consequent        rag    $k 

FRANKLIN  RUBBER  CO., 

delicacy.                                                              JB,    i 

(Fuller,  Leonards  Small,) 

MOTUCK  SILK  CO.  If 

Rubber  Goods  of  Every  Description, 

18  SUMMER  ST.,  BOSTON.        B# 

Send  6   cents  in  stamps  for  sample, 

13  FRANKLIN  STREET, 

stating  grade  wanted. 

Near  Washington  Street,                    BOSTON. 

WARRANTED 

ffiura^  *  ffif  ilk 

IX  GLASS  JARS. 

Send  Postal  to  Box  3,    Hyde  Park,  Mass. 


Franklin  &  Shea, 
F)0R$G  $R0GR$ 

AND 

CARRIAGE-SMITHS, 

Cor,  Central  Park  Ave,  &  River  St, 


Horse  Shoeing  a  Specialty. 

Contracted  and  Diseased  Feet, 
Over-Reaching,  and  Interfering  skil- 
fully treated. 

First  Class  Carriage  Ironing  of 
all  descriptions. 

New  and  Second  Hand  Wagons 
For  Sale,  or  Exchanged. 


Our  work  is  the  Best  in  the  Market. 

Dr.  P.  KENISON, 


f 

Corns  and  Bad  Nails  Extracted  without  pain. 

N.  Y.  Office,  868  Broadway, 

Between  17th  anil  ISth  Streets,  opposite  Huylei's. 

Boston,  10  &  18  Temple  Place. 

r> _.,. „„  (Nails 50c.  each. 

OperatioMon{Corn8 25c.  each. 


ocreems 


«pgoi5pip 


AwniKgs- 


window  Shades. 

62  Fairmount  Ave..HydePark. 


J.  B.  CARTER, 

COAL  HP  WOOD. 


F.  D.  BRIGHAM, 


DEALER    IN 


OFFICSS      HT 


YARD,  BUSINESS  STREET. 

AND    AT 

C.    P.    VAUGHN'S, 

ODD  FELLOWS-  BUILDING, 

No.     3      RIVER     STREET. 


J'rivate  Telephone  at  VAl'GHN'S 
where  orders  will  receive  prompt  at- 
tention. 


HYDE    PARK    STEAM     MILL. 


JOHN  N.  BULLARD, 

Wholesale  and  Eetail  Sealer  in 

Flour,  Grain,  Feed,  Hay, 


STRAW,  AND  SALT. 


HEADQUARTERS    POR    ALL   KINDS  OF 

GRASS  and  GARDEN  SEEDS. 

Agent  lor  tne  Leading;  Brands  of  Fertilizers. 

MILL    NBAS    PROVIDENCE   RAILROAD    DEPOT, 

STORE : 

33  EVERETT  BLOCK,  RIVER  ST. 


PROVISIONS, 

Fruit,  Vegetables,  Etc. 


A  FULL  LINE  OF 


FRESH  AND  SALT  FISH. 

OYSTERS  AND  FRESH  BOILED  LOBSTERS 
IN  THEIR  SEASON. 


72  &  74  FAIRMOUNT  AVENUE, 

Xear  N.  V.  &  N.  E.  Depot, 
HYDE  PARK. 

ESTABLISHED  1871. 


JAMES    B.    FALL, 

DEALER   IX 

Stoves,  Ranges,  and  Furnaces. 


PLUMBING  AND  KOOFING. 


61      FAIRMOUNT     AVENUE. 


JOBBING  PROMPTLY  ATTENDED  TO. 


HAIR  DRESSING  PARLORS, 

C.  P.  IKKNALD,  Prop., 

27  FAIRMOUNT  AVE.,  HYDE  PARK,  MASS. 

Shaving  and  Hair  Cutting  done  in   the   neatest 
manner. 

Special   attention   will   be  paid   to   Ladies'   and 
Children's  Hair  Cutting  and  Shampooing. 

NOTB. —  Ladies   prefering   their   shampooil 
their  children's  hair   cut,  at   home,   at   reasonable 
pric;s,  can  do  so  by  leaving  word  at  my  store  or  the 
Host  Office,  any  day  except  Saturday. 


rLEASK   GIVE  ME  A   <  All. 


FRANK  W.  GLEASON  &  CO., 

PLUMBERS, 

Steam  and  Gas  Fitters. 


ALSO,    DEALERS    IN 


STOVES,  FURNACES^RANGES, 


Hardware  and   Lamps. 


No.  1  Bank  Building, 

ETerett  Square, 

HYDE    PARK,  MASS. 


BUY     THK 

Hyde  Park 
Times. 


Merrill  Underhill, 

Commission 

Merchant, 

AND    DEALER    IX 

Butter,  Cheese,  Eggs,  Lard  and 

Country    Produce, 

tea  and  coffee. 

38  Fairmount  Avenue. 

CH/RLES  STDRTEVyiNT,  M.  D., 

HOMCEOPATHIST, 

8  MAPLE  ST.,  HYDE  PARK,  MASS. 

Telephone  No.  9109.         Lock  Box  43. 

OFFICE  HOURS  —8  to  9  P.M.  ;   4  to  6  P.M. 
Usually  at  home  during  the  evening. 

THE 

NORFOLK  COUNTY  GAZETTE. 

ESTABLISHED  IN    1813. 

Everett  Square,    .    Hyde  Park. 
THE  OLD  RELIABLE  FAMILY  PAPER. 

Book,  Card,  and  Job  Printing  of  every  description. 


CLEMENT  B.  TOWER  &  CO. 


MANUFACTTJEEES, 


Hyde   Park,   Mass. 


For  Snow  Pudding,  Jellies,  Creams, 
Blanc-Manges,  &c. 


N.   M.   PUTNAM.  A.  (..  WORDEN. 


B0ST0N  BRANCH 


±  B0^T0|\I  f>l\}\L 


DRY  GOODS, 
FANCY  GOODS, 


V 


IfroceNI&TeiiHouge,  I       small  wares, 

V  Rontc'   Purnic 


I 
< 

Gents'  Furnishings,  m 

<£l  and  ^o  Hiver  ot.,         £  0ur stock at all times embraces a fU]iiine ol  £j 

0  E 

jj    Staple  and  Fancy  Dry  Goods,    a 

Cor.  Hyde  Park  Ave.,  ja     and  a  very  attractive  assortment  of 

NOVELTIES, 


HYDE   P7SRK    ■     •    7UYP;SS. 


which    we    offer   at    one    lowest     CASH 
7f    price  to  all.  ;jc 

CIDEON  H.  HASKELL. 


CHARLES  LEWIS,  everett  sq.  market. 

1864.  HYDE  PARK.  1888. 

DEALER   IN  Bitabll»hedinl8M 

Stoves,  furnaces,    henry  s.  holtham. 

H  N  D  DEALER   IN 

Ranges.  PROVISIONS, 


Kitchen    Furnishing   Goods. 


BEEF,  PORK,  LARD,  BUS,  TRIPK,  SAU- 
SAGES, FRESH  EMS,  PDEE  MILK, 
FRIIT,  VEGETABLES,  ETC. 

Special  Attention  given  tO  Roofing,  Berries    in    tlieir    Season. 

Plumbing,  and  Furnace  Work.  Opposite   Congregational    Church. 

I    have   weekly   arrivals  of  Vermont  Butter.     1 

f^  |  \y  ££|  p^        S~T  R  EI  EI  ~T~  S,i11  s0licit  a  tr'al  0t  th°Se  fi"e  S":iar  Cured  Hams, 

so  widely  known  as  the  Pine  Apple  Brand.     Thank- 
OPP.  MASnNIC    BLOCK,  log  the  citizens  of   Hyde  Park  for  so  liberal  a  share 

of  patronage  so  many  years,    I    still   solicit    a   ion- 
HYDE  PARK,  tinuance  of  the  s.ime. 


GORDON 
*    +    ♦    *    ,-  THE  * 

CATERER 


Richardson  &  Rafter, 
CARPMTERS 


AND 


GOJMFECJIONER, 

Masonic  Block,  Hyde  Park, 

Weddings,    Receptions,   and 
Banquets    a   Specialty. 

Creams,  lees,  &c.  at  Wholesale. 

Croquettes,  Fancy  Ices,  and  Cakes  to  order, 

Also  Wedding  Cake. 

Professional   Cooks  and   Waiters  furnished  for 
Private  Parties. 

IMIOIS  BOYHTOI, 

DEALER  IN 

FURNACES, 

RANGES,  STOVES, 


— )  AND  (— 


old: 


Jobbing  of  all  kinds  Promptly 
Attended  to. 


Shop,  cor.  Central  Park  Ay.  &  River  St. , 

HYDE   PARK. 

The  Best  is  The  Cheapest. 


J.  JOHNSTON, 


AND 


HOUSE  FURNISHING  GOODS. 


PLUMBER  &  6AS  FITTER. 

Roofing  and  Jobbing  in  all  branches  of  the  trade 
promptly  attended  to. 

64  WEST  RIVER  STREET, 

Near  Providence  R.  R,  Station. 

HYDEC   PARK,  MASS. 


X 


HYDE  PARK, 


AVE     LEAD,     OTHERS     FOLLOW. 


*♦&         «!■{,         «.'£         Oft,         *.'{.         •.<<.  .>.'.»         ^J-         ^J- 

VJ?         '/C         »J»  »JS  "f!  *"«\  /»■*  /»■*  #i» 


Hyde  Prrk  Local  Hews 


•     •     •     • 


Is  given  more  space  by  the  Boston 
Globe  than  by  any  other  Boston  paper. 
This,  together  with  the  fact  that  The 
Globe  is  the  leading  paper  of  New 
England,  is  reason  why  everybody  in 
Hyde   Park  should  read   it  daily. 

The  ladies  and  the  young  people 
all  like  The  Globe.  Its  stories 
and  miscellaneous  articles  are  famous 
throughout  the  country. 


•  ?*  *'*  *'•  £*.^  **m  •!•  i!'  ^'«  ^fi  *'*  ***  *'* 

*i?  #i?  ^i»  ti%  #«»  »»»  #«»  #i?         *«?  *j*  *i»  *J% 


W.  A.  WOOD  k  CO., 


Manufacturers  of  and  Dealers  in 


Dr.     C.     A.     LESLIE, 

**  DENTIST,** 

Rooms,    No.     55     Fairmount    Ave., 

NEAR    BAPTIST  CHURCH. 
OFFICE  HOURS,  FROM   I  TO  5  P.  M. 


ALL  GRADES  OF  LUBRICATING  J.  P.  BILLS,  M.  D., 


OILS 


100  &  102   MILK    ST., 


BOSTON. 


No.  24  CENTRAL  AVENUE, 

Cor.  Webster  Street. 
"TELEPHONE:       914-5. 


U.  HOLZER, 

BOOK-BINDER, 

25  Bromfield  Street, 
Boston,  Mass. 


TELEPHONE     No.     1727. 


Hyde  Park  Telephone,   91  16.  ESTABLISHED      1  870.  Boston  Telephone,  20  70. 


CHAS.   M.   CHAPIN, 

KIRK,     LIFE,     AND     ACCIDENT 
REAL    ESTATE    AND    MORTGAGES. 


Everett  Square,  101  Milk  St.,  corner  Pearl, 

HYDE  PARK,   MASS.  BOSTON,  MASS. 


Extra  facilities  for  placing  large  lines  on  Manufacturing  and  Merchandise 

Risks.     Agent  for  the  purchase,  sale,  and  care  of  Real  Estate. 

High   grade   mortgages   negotiated. 


Telephone    1637 


PRINTERS     OK     THIS     BOOK. 


L.  BARTA  &  CO., 

Book  and  Job  Printers, 

54  Pearl  Street, 
BOSTON. 


PRINTING     OF     EVERY     DESCRIPTION. 


Estimates     Furnished 


hi.  :m:,^:r,:ecs, 
Merchant  Tailor, 

12   Fairmount  Avenue, 
HYDE    PARK. 


Fine  Suits,  Overcoats,  &c,  made  to  order 
from  measure. 

A  full  assortment  of  FineTailoring  Wool- 
lens constantly  on  hand. 

The  Style  and  Workmanship  of  my  gar- 
ments are  first-class  in  every  particular. 

Best  Work  ;  Bottom  Prices. 

PATRONAGE    SOLICITED. 


*     ft     $     ft 

CARPENTERS 

AND  BUILDER, 


Would  respectfully  announce  to  the  people 
of  Hyde  Park  that  he  "still  lives"  after  two 
years  as  a  Builder,  in  spite  of  the  prophecy 
to  the  contrary. 

FIRST-CLASS  WORK 

Will  be  given  to  those  who  wish  it,  as  I 
have  as  competent  mechanics  as  are  to  be 
found  in  town. 

All  kinds  of  Woodwork  done,  including 
the  building  of 

HOUSES  AND  BATHROOMS, 

the  repairing  of 
LEAKS,  SHINGLING,  &c. 


RHEUMATISM     >  II  ft  r>TI  I  JO  <>      DYSPEPSIA 

OL'KBD  WITH        }  IU  I  I  K    I    H    N  <         CUBED    B1 

Rheumatic  Cure.)!'*"*  I  II  U^Pnre  :  :  Pepsin. 

Snid  oy  DmgiriBtR     By  mail,  81  per  bottle. 
(HAS.  i[    NORTH  A-  CO.    .     .     .    Boston,  Mas*. 


Shop   .    .    Rear  of  Engine  House, 


HYDE      PARK, 


EVERETT  STABLES. 


o  o  o         o 


Hack,  Livery,   Boarding  and  Sale  Stables. 

A.    RAYMOND,    Proprietor. 


CENTRAL  PARK  AVENUE,  OPPOSITE  EVERETT  STREET, 

HYDE  PARK,   MASS. 


FIRST-CLASS     HACKS,    CARRIAGES,    ETC,    FURNISHED    FOR    WEDDINGS,    FU- 
NERALS,   PLEASURE     PARTIES,    ETC.,    AT    THE 
VERY   LOWEST   PRICES. 


ORDERS  FOR  PIANO  and  FURNITURE  MOVING  PROMPTLY  ATTENDED  TO. 


BARGES     OF     ALL     KINDS     FOR     PARTIES     AND     PICNICS. 
Hack  at  Depots  on  arrival  of  all  Trains. 


BRANCH  STABLES  AT  DEDHAM  AND  EAST  DEDHAM. 


THE  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

Santa  Barbara 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW. 


Scries  9482 


3  1205  02528  6434 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


■ 


